Australia’s Murray River too acidic to use
By Verity Edwards and Pia Akerman | May 18, 2009 FIRST it was salt, now it is acid preventing farmers at Currency Creek and along the Finniss River from using Murray River water. While it may have been a blessing at the time, heavy rains last month have mobilised acid in exposed soil beds in sections of South Australia’s Lower Lakes, sparking warnings to keep livestock away from the two tributaries and fears the flowing water could have an impact on the health of local landowners. For dairy farmer Don Galpin, the increased acidification could not have come at a worse time. Mr Galpin, who runs his family’s 100-year-old farm on the banks of Currency Creek, has spent the past three years battling drought, falling milk prices, a doubling of feed costs and being forced to buy water to ensure it is of a high enough quality to run his business. “It certainly is (a nail in the coffin),” Mr Galpin told The Australian. “It’s a negative as far as the area is concerned. It’s the last thing we need.” The 64-year-old, his wife, Sue, and sons Jarrad and Andrew have battled tough conditions for three years. They considered selling, but are “hanging in there”. There is little water left to pump from the river. When the pipes are not running dry, the water is too acidic. The farmer has spent more than $6000 buying water this year. “If we hadn’t been able to buy water from the Myponga Reservoir, we would have had to close down,” Mr Galpin said. “That’s more or less saved us at a price.” …
