Wai Water

People out and about in our region often come across water looking or smelling funny, both in freshwater waterways and on the coast. While sometimes these events actually are pollution, in other cases these events are part of the normal function of the ecosystem.

Water means something to everyone. Find out more about what we’re doing to improve water quality, and the awesome mahi that local volunteers and businesses are doing to protect what’s important to them.

Algae can flourish in our waterways during hot and fine conditions. Most algae are harmless, but high levels of some species may be toxic and blooms may result in health warnings being issued.

See water quality monitoring data for the Waikato region on the LAWA website.

Find out about the rivers and streams that give the Waikato region much of its distinctive character.

The Waikato region has more than 100 lakes, ranging from small ponds to the largest lake in New Zealand, Taupō-nui-a-Tia (Lake Taupō).

Learn about the wetlands we have in the Waikato and the biodiversity they support.

Groundwater makes up about 90 percent of our region’s freshwater resource, and is used for drinking, industry, agriculture and horticulture.

Find out about authorised water allocation and the resource consenting process.

Find out more about how we manage stormwater in the Waikato.