“It simply doesn t have the capacity to treat water effectively.” Lake Waikare is one of the most polluted lakes in the country, and a 2012 study put it at one of the most polluted lakes in the world. Low-lake levels, surrounding farming practices and infestation of koi carp has led to its degraded state, and it often changes colour throughout the year.
KELLY HODEL/STUFF/Waikato Times
Development in Te Kauwhata is contributing to an inability to treat water flowing into the lake. The council has been allowed to discharge treated wastewater to the lake for 30 years but in the past three years the compliance has failed.