A new filtering device on the lakefront designed to prevent sediment, oil and litter from entering the lake has collected two cubic metres of waste in its first six months of operation.
The underground stormwater quality improvement device was installed near the Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge in May to filter water that flows into it from a catchment area between Ruapehu and Titiraupenga streets. It uses a vortex to separate and remove contaminants from the water.
Stormwater and solid waste asset manager Brent Aitken said the two cubic metres of waste collected would otherwise have made its way into the lake.
"We chose this area for the device because of the high volume of traffic that generates a lot of waste," he said. "It has really proven its worth over the last six months with the amount it has collected."
Another device is set to be installed at the bottom of Ruapehu Street next year to expand the project to prevent waste going into the lake. The devices have been budgeted for in the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 as part of council's commitment to looking after the environment.