By JO-MARIE BROWN
A toxic algal bloom contaminating lakes near Rotorua on an unprecedented scale has prompted a group of prominent Aucklanders to speak out about the need for urgent action.
Swimming and drinking water from Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoehu have been banned this year after tests showed dangerously high
levels of cyanobacteria were present.
The toxic bloom, caused by nutrients flowing into the lakes from sources such as stock effluent and septic tanks, can affect the liver and nervous systems, cause skin rashes and set off asthma or hayfever attacks.
Cyanobacteria has been causing problems in both lakes each summer since the mid-1990s.
This is the first year Lake Rotoiti - one of the North Island's most popular recreational lakes - has been cordoned off entirely.
Local residents and lobby groups have been urging Environment Bay of Plenty and the Rotorua District Council to do more about the problem.
And yesterday, a group of Auckland lawyers and businessmen who own properties around Lake Rotoiti said they wanted to help find a solution.
Auckland's Crown Solicitor Simon Moore, environmental lawyer Derek Nolan, National Business Review publisher Barry Coleman and oil and gas magnate Mark Dunphy were among those who believe the lakes were in a "perilous" state.
"We see an urgent need to confront the problem and to review whatever strategies need to be put in place to arrest the decline in water quality and over time reverse it," Mr Moore said.
The group hopes to raise public awareness about the issue and work with local authorities to help make changes.
Environment Bay of Plenty's manager of environmental investigations, John McIntosh, said public co-operation was the key to reducing the flow of nutrients into the lakes.
Farmers had to agree to fence their stock off from the lakes and local communities had to decide on options for changing sewerage systems.
A long-term solution for Lake Rotoehu would be developed this year.
More research was required at Lake Rotoiti to establish the quantity of nutrients the lake could handle before a similar action plan could be prepared.
"I don't think we can rush in because it's something that involves everybody in the catchment, so you have to do it in a controlled manner," he said.
Herald Feature: Environment
