Report shows 32 percent of lakes have poor water quality

New Zealand's lake water quality compares favourably with Europe and North America but ``real concerns'' have been revealed in a report released today, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.
``It is unacceptable that 32 percent of our monitored lakes have poor water quality and that more lakes are deteriorating rather than improving,'' he said.
``New Zealand needs to improve its freshwater management to ensure our lakes measure up to our clean, green reputation.''
Dr Smith said the Status and Trends 2010 Report on Lake Water Quality report showed water quality was worst in lowland, intensively farmed areas such as the Waikato and Manawatu.
He said the Government was ramping up spending on freshwater clean-up initiatives, increasing funding from $17 million between 2003 and 2008 to $94 million between 2009 and 2014.
The report used data from 68 of the 4000 lakes between 2005 and 2009 to measure water quality, which showed 19 had deteriorated and eight had improved.
``The deteriorating in lake water quality was worst in Canterbury between 2005 and 2009, making up 15 of the 19 lakes nationwide that went backwards,'' Dr Smith said.
``This reinforces the Government's decision to intervene in water management in Canterbury and the need to fast track water plans and rules to better manage pollution.''
The Green Party said the report showed why clean water rules were urgently needed.
``Our kids have a birthright to swim and fish in our waterways but this legacy is at risk,'' said co-leader Russel Norman.
Federated Farmers said some of the conclusions in the report was simplistic when applied nationally.
``Interpreting these results must be lake specific,'' said dairy spokesman Lachlan McKenzie,
``We cannot be expected to make all the improvements when agriculture is far from all of the problem.''