Lake lovers were told to keep it clean: ‘One poop can shut down the lake’

Visitors to the Mackenzie District lakes are told that they risk losing access to local lakes if they continue to contaminate the water.

The Canterbury Regional Environment Council, along with the Upper Waitaki Water Area Committee, launched a campaign saying that “one poop can shut down the lake.”

Committee Chairman Simon Cameron said it will be even more important for everyone to do their bit to protect water quality this summer, as Covid-19 international travel restrictions are in place to boost tourism and camping. Beside the lake.

“We have heard that the campgrounds are already fully booked, so we know that there will be a large number of people visiting and active in and around our lakes.

“That increases the risk of E. coli bacteria entering our swimming areas in the lake if someone doesn’t use the bathroom or dispose of the dog poop.

The campaign tells visitors to the lake to use public restrooms, pick up dog droppings and wear baby swim diapers.

Environment Canterbury South Area Manager Christopher Eccleston said visitors should make sure they have gone to the bathroom before heading out to the lake.

“It’s a bit like what your mother used to tell you, go to the bathroom before you go,” he said.

“It also relates to things like sensible behaviors with their dogs, just like we ask people to do in cities, pick up their dog poop.”

One of the lakes, Ruataniwha near Twizel, was closed in early 2019 due to bacteria and other pathogens that cause E. coli contamination. This led to the adoption of health alert measures and the closure of the lake’s main bathing area for several days during the peak of summer activity.

Surface water science team leader Shirley Hayward said human or dog poop likely contributed to this event.

Our investigation ruled out other potential contributors, such as birds, agricultural activity, or a sewer problem.

“Due to the fact that there was so much human activity in and around the water, it was likely caused by poop.

“Human feces is a source of contamination of particular concern due to the wide range of pathogens that can be present.

“It only takes a ‘reservoir’ to contaminate an area because swimming areas in lakes are like pools: warm, shallow, and not much flow. An ‘accident’ can shut down the lake for an entire camping trip.”