Outback NSW residents are frustrated, fed up and worried about their drinking water after the biggest fish kill on the Darling-Baaka River in memory.
Millions of native fish have washed up dead on the river at Menindee and downstream towards Pooncarie, in the state's far west, since late last month as floodwaters receded and the region was hit by repeated heatwaves.
The mass fish kills were likely caused by low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, known as hypoxic blackwater, which has been exacerbated by the extreme conditions.
After dead fish blanketed the water at the main weir late last week, police reassured residents their drinking supply was safe.
Emergency services and state government water authorities held a community meeting in Menindee on Tuesday morning to provide a possible timeline to remove and dispose of the animals and address concerns about water quality.
"There is no need for community concern as the initial assessment has determined multiple viable solutions to maintain water supply to the Menindee township and surrounds," NSW Police said in a statement ahead of the meeting.
"The frequency of water quality testing has been increased to ensure it continues to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines."
Menindee local Graeme McCrabb said many felt the meeting provided no real answers.
"The only thing that was reiterated and certainly not taken with any faith from the community is that the water supply is safe and secure," he told AAP.
"That is certainly not being accepted by the community at all."
The Central Darling Shire council has been carting water to households that rely on the river for several days.
He said the community was doubtful about attempts to remove the fish because the water has become a "soupy mess".
"As soon as you touch those fish now, they just break up. It's a difficult one."
Other residents told AAP they were too frustrated to attend the meeting after the 2019 fish deaths, and were skeptical about water management on the lower Darling-Baaka.
"There is anger there and frustration," Mr McCrabb said.
"People have no faith that the government has the ability to respond or has any interest to respond."
Federal and state agencies are working out of an Emergency Operations Centre set up in the outback town on Sunday.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree on Monday said the agencies' first priority was protecting the water supply, but the clean-up effort could take some time.
"I can only appreciate and acknowledge the hardship," Mr Greentree said.
"The smell is something for the poor residents to put up with and it's really difficult after they've gone through a period of drought and then the floods.
"They've had a really tough time."
