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Lake Taupo - Taupo–nui–a–Tia - is a national treasure. Thirty kilometres wide and 40 km long, its deepest point is approximately 160 metres.
The entire Lake Taupo catchment, including the lake, is 3487 square kilometres – 14 percent of the Waikato region.
Lake Taupo is a clean, clear lake. Water quality is good for swimming and for the plants and animals that live in it.
Water quality in Lake Taupo
The way people use and develop the land surrounding the Lake can affect the Lake’s excellent water quality. Natural events such as the Mount Ruapehu eruptions can also affect the Lake’s water quality. Find out more about trends in the Lake’s water quality and how land use affects Lake Taupo.
Looking after Lake Taupo
Environment Waikato is looking at ways to manage the effects of land use changes to protect Lake Taupo’s excellent water quality. Project Watershed includes soil conservation schemes that are designed to protect the lake’s water quality and reduce sediment loads to the lake.
Protecting Lake Taupo is our strategy released in November 2003 to protect the lake. You can also find out more about what new Regional Plan rules mean for farmers in the Lake Taupo area.
Waste water from urban areas also affects the lake. Taupo District Council encourages residents to be careful about what they put into stormwater drains. The district council also has plans for the ongoing improvement of community sewerage systems.
Find out what you can do to help protect Lake Taupo – a national treasure.
Human Health Risk Assessment
You can download the pdf below to read the report on Human Health Risk Assessment - an action plan to protect the health of Lake Taupo and its surrounding area.
Human Health Risk Assessment - Action plan to protect the health of Lake Taupo and its surrounding area
(311 kb, 44 seconds to download, 56k modem)
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