Giardia

A commentary on the PR disaster a couple of years ago (see also Australian Experience) when Sydney Water increased the sensitivity of their quality testing too much and discovered a bunch of germs that had been in there for years. For a while the place was like Tom Lehrer’s Pollution Song. This is to the tune of Azaria by MUFS, which is to the tune of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (more or less).

[1997?]

(Giardia, giardia, giardia, giardia, etc)
(Cry-y-y-y-pto-sporidium, etc)

In the water, the Sydney water, the creatures swarm tonight
In the water, the Sydney water, the creatures swarm tonight

In the storm drain, just up from Prospect, a dog lies in the dark
Poor old Fido, at last we all know, your blight’s worse than your bark

There must have been a toxic spill
The Sydney water’s turned to swill
Unless you boil it it can kill
Just like it did to David Hill

Public slaughter at Sydney Water, the boss has been abused;
What a caper, they’re in the paper, and Carr is not amused.

Now you’re shrinking from thoughts of drinking, all those germs within!
Your ablutions require solutions, so clean your teeth in gin!

Sydney life style, the edge-of-knife style, could clearly be your doom
Don’t you worry, cos if you hurry, Melbourne still has room!