Menindee farmers scramble for stock water after tests show river has 'potentially toxic algae'

Local authorities have delivered 147,000 litres of water for household use to properties along the Darling-Baaka River, but do not cover livestockSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityFarmers near Menindee in western New South Wales have to make the choice between spending hours carting untreated water for their stock or allowing them to drink water containing "potentially toxic algae", after a mass fish kill contaminated the Darling-Baaka River.Plans to flush the river to remove the sludge of millions of dead fish have been criticised because they involve releasing water earmarked for environmental flows.Sign up to receive Guardian Australia's fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter Continue reading...