With a growing number of lakes and rivers unsafe for swimming eco-warrior Dr Mike Joy is determined to get people to think about cleaning up our waterways.

Photo: Supplied

The Massey University freshwater ecologist has spent many years trying to raise public awareness of the state of our water environments.

Now the senior lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Science has become the first recipient of an award recognising the role of "critic and conscience" in society.

He talks to Wallace Chapman.