The country's environmental watchdog is warning almost half of the country's lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waterways are in poor condition.
The Environmental Protection Agency says they're under significant pressure from human activity and need to be better protected.
It says high concentrations of phosphate and nitrate in the south and south east, due to farming, is a particular concern.
EPA spokesperson Mary Gurrie joined Shane Beatty on Breakfast Briefing:
