Land Air and Water Aotearoa decreased the long-term water quality rating of Lake Wānaka from excellent to good after traces of E.coli had increased.
E.coli is linked to animal or human faecal matter which is why caution is advised after heavy rainfall causes runoff of matter into the lake.
Queenstown Lakes District councillors gave anecdotal reports of freedom campers toileting and bathing around the lake, which has been an ongoing issue contributing to the lake’s declining water quality.
The bigger-picture issue relates more to the town’s infrastructure struggling to keep up with population-growth demands.
Mayor Glyn Lewers responded to these issues by first acknowledging that trying to balance growth with infrastructure has not been easy for the region but promised several projects are under way to help ease the burden.
The Upper Clutha Wastewater Conveyance Scheme is one of the largest investments being made over the next decade.
"Over the next 10 years, our largest capital investment is actually on the upper Clutha when it comes to wastewater. That’s the Hawea to Project Pure conveyance. So, it’s north of $70million over four to five years," Mr Lewers said.
The project includes construction of a new wastewater pump station at Dominion Rd in Hawea, a 12.5km pipeline from Dominio Rd to Albert Town and upgrades to the Riverbank Road Wastewater pump station.
The designs for the proposed changes are now complete and construction is set to begin in the next few months with the pipelines due to be complete by 2028.
Most of the existing wastewater system, especially in Lake Hawea, was first set up in 1988 and was last updated in 2000.
According to the council’s proposal, the infrastructure has now reached capacity, meaning it is well overdue for a change.
Regarding stormwater improvements, Mr Glyn referenced the work that has either been done or is planned in Bullock Creek and Rockabilly Gully.
The work that has been done to prevent the impacts of stormwater in both locations has been controversial, and its efficiency is being questioned by locals.
Ten years ago, council created an unfenced holding pond in Bullock Creek designed to prevent stormwater overflow from residential developments getting into the wetland.
The holding pond has overflown around 21 times in the past decade causing sediment-filled water to make its way through the fence and all the way down to the lakefront.
About one month ago, the QLDC applied to do earthworks in the creek with little notice to the community, in an attempt to further prevent stormwater runoff.
This application came as a surprise to locals and organisations that had helped in the upkeep of the creek and details are yet to come on the work planned.
Chairman of the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board Simon Telfer commented at the time saying, "Organisations in our community that continue to advocate for Bullock Creek protection and freshwater quality deserve to be fully consulted and engaged in this wetland proposal".
Mr Lewers felt that a big part of the problem came down to education and said they hadbeen working with community groups over the years to better educate the public waste and stormwater.
"This is the educational piece that whatever you tip down in your drain or into the gully track or the mud tank on the side of the road ends up in the lake" he said.
He said the communication process with residents about what could go in drains was "ongoing".
Outside of council, local groups such as Wai Wānaka, continue to advocate for more awareness while educating the public about the many factors that contribute to water pollution.
Their World Water Day this weekend is a response to the declining health of Wānaka’s waterscapes. They will be spread across locations in town and at Ripe festival, informing people about the issues being faced and what actions the public can take.
