24 Nov 2025: Lake weed stranding, septic tanks

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Lakefront lake weed stranding

Enquiry

*NOTE: this enquiry was sent to both RLC and BOPRC.

Thought I would check in on the lakeweed clean-up and see how it is tracking?

• What stage is the clean-up at and any delays due to last week's weather?
• Any notable environmental impact so far, some talk on social media of dead fish as result of the lake weed?
• Any worries over smell? Is becoming noticeable at the moment?
• Any better understanding of how much the clean-up might cost?

Obviously happy for you to ignore/answer the questions related to each council.

Response

From Rob Pitkethley, Parks and Open Spaces Manager:

Work to remove the stranded lake weeds is continuing alongside Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The day the regional council’s harvester wasn’t able to work because of bad weather we were still able to truck weed already removed from the lake to EcoGas.

The weed will smell as it breaks down, which we know can be unpleasant, and we continue to work alongside the regional council to remove as much as possible as quickly as is possible.

The cost of disposal of the lake weed will be known once we’re finished as it depends on the volume we need to dispose of.

*NOTE: BOPRC was to cover off the question regarding fish being found in the lake week (we understand these are catfish and goldfish and that no native species have been found within the weed)

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Media: Listener

Topic: Septic tanks

Enquiry

I’m writing for the Listener about ‘What we do with poo’.

One aspect I’m interested in is septic tanks and their ability to contaminate water nearby. I know this has been a big controversial issue with Lake Tarawera – a favourite spot of mine. Obviously there are big cultural sensitivities here too – I’m not sure how deeply I want to go into that, but I definitely want to mention it.

I wonder if there is an expert at Rotorua Lakes Council who would be willing to speak about the septic tank issue with me?

Response

We provided the following information:

In terms of how septic tanks can contribute to contamination of waterways and the rules regarding on-site effluent treatment systems, you’re best to go to the BOP Regional Council which sets the rules around these.

Regarding cultural sensitivities relating to protection of waterways, we suggest contacting mana whenua/iwi to get that directly from them.

Re the “big controversial issue”, we assume you are referring to the protests that occurred at nearby Lake Rotokakahi? If so, for your understanding, that related to the route of the pipeline for the scheme running past that lake, it was not related to septic tanks.

If you’d like to know more about the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme see the following link: Tarawera Sewerage Scheme - Rotorua Lakes Council

We also provided the attached fact sheet which includes background and general information