Lake Rotoiti has water quality of sewage pond says consultant

Lake Rotoiti has the water clarity of a sewage oxidation pond, says environmental consultant Ian Johnstone.

Dr Johnstone, on behalf of the Lakes Water Quality Society, told a hearing on the Bay of Plenty's regional water and land plan that the lake's water quality had declined rapidly in the past three decades. "Today it is similar to that of a sewage oxidation pond."

Environment Bay of Plenty wants to make land users in the catchments of lakes Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Okareka apply for resource consent if they want to change their land use in a way which might increase nutrients reaching waterways.