Since the 1960s, the quality of lake water has been negatively affected by inflows of nitrogen rich water from Lake Rotorua, agricultural run-off from surrounding farms and seepage from domestic septic tanks.

A barrier to divert the nutrient rich waters of Lake Rotorua into the Kaituna River was completed in late 2008.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is expected to see improvement in lake water quality within five years.

[6] The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Program reported in 2013 that the intervention has significantly improved water quality.

[7] Lake Rotoiti has thermal hot-spring baths on the southern shore which are accessible by boat.