An email sent to both councils regarding potential contamination was ignored in 2002.

Government's changes to water standards slammed as "trickery".

Water NZ chief executive - industry needs to learn from the Water Inquiry's findings

A decision on the future of the controversial Ruataniwha water storage scheme looms.

A Waterways Act that puts all water bodies in trust for future generations would be timely

Action Station stage a poop emoji protest to highlight our polluted rivers

COMMENT: People have known there is a problem with our waterways long before new report.

The state of Hawke's Bay's local waterways is in crisis, writes Trevor Le-Lievre.

Two damning reports on farming greeted by Government silence, says green campaigner.

A long hidden waterfall is once again accessible to the public

Any commercial operation turning water into money should expect to have to pay.

COMMENT: If we are charging for water, farmers probably should pay for it, too.

Hamiltonians gather outside Waikato Regional Council as New Zealand Water Forum petition delivered to Parliament. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

GREEN TINGE: Naomi Hall took this photo of the bathwater in her Mount Maunganui home. PHOTO / NAOMI HALL Naomi_Hall_Green_Water.JPG By

A third organisation has quit the Land and Water Forum in protest about freshwater standards

Broadlands Forest Resident Graham Sperry spotted what he believes may be sewage on the river bank over the weekend, and is worried it could pose a health risk. Made with funding from NZ On Air

COMMENT: New Zealand clean and green? Try mean and short-sighted.

Forest and Bird says most rivers and streams are excluded from Government's plan to clean up waterways.

Residents react to photographs of cows wading in the river which feeds the local water supply.

Some say the Government's water-quality proposals are not ambitious enough, but others - including farmers - are cautiously optimistic.

In "clean, green New Zealand" just 72 per cent of rivers, streams and lakes are considered safe for swimming and it will remain that way for a while.

COMMENT: The Government's plan to clean up waterways is an attempt to look as though action's being taken, when in reality nothing's happening, says Mark Dye.

Environment groups are upset that rivers deemed to be "excellent for swimming" under new water quality standards could still make

New target would require cleaning up 10,000km of waterways at a cost of $2 billion.