The Taupō District Council (TDC) has been able to reopen a small bay on the lake closed after a wastewater spill frustrated those in the area wanting to take a summer dip on the morning of New Year's Eve.

Water testing has now shown the water at Te Kopua Bay to be safe.

The minor spill, caused by a build-up of "unflushables" like wet wipes and nappies, saw the small part of the lake at Acacia Bay closed on Monday, December 30.

The picturesque bay, between Te Kopua Street and 813 Acacia Bay Road, is popular as a swimming spot with those staying in nearby baches and houses.

Social media reaction to the closure on the TDC Facebook page included responses ranging from blame aimed at irresponsible 'flushing' to the council itself.

CHRIS MARSHALL/STUFF A minor sewage overflow caused by a blockage of wet wipes closed the small beach at Te Kopua Bay on Lake Taupō just before New Year's Eve.

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While those down at the small bay on New Year's Eve morning were mostly aware of the closure, one woman was about to swim until the arrival of staff to sample the water.

A sign indicating the closure had been dislodged and was floating just offshore 20 metres away. Three other warning signs were still in place further along the beach.

Other swimmers indicated frustration at having to divert to other spots around the foreshore for a New Year's Eve dip.

But the same emotional reaction was being felt by those who cope with the causes and results of sewage spills.

CHRIS MARSHALL/STUFF Water sampling at Te Kopua Beach was continuing on Tuesday morning.

"It's the same message that we've always had," said TDC chief executive officer Gareth Green the day after the closure.

"Don't flush wet wipes."

It's not the first time Lake Taupō has been the victim of summer swimming restrictions, though this incursion was far less serious than last year's fatberg.

In January 2018 sewage accidentally made its way into the lake after a 'fatberg' - caused by a combination of cooking fat and wet wipes - caused wastewater to escape from a manhole, resulting in a spill into the lake.

The council began a major publicity campaign in mid December to remind locals and visitors of the problems caused by "unflushables" like wet wipes, nappies and fat from kitchens or barbecues.

The push included coverage of the message on radio, social media, billboards and in print, as well as in-store signs near products like wet wipes at retail outlets around the district.

CHRIS MARSHALL/STUFF Houses adjoining Te Kopua Beach Reserve. A dislodged warning sign was floating some 20 metres from where it had been placed at one end of the beach.

Despite what manufacturers might say, Green stated, wet wipes should not be disposed of via the sewerage system as they too often contributed to blockages and overflows.

"In a sense the lake is at the bottom of the hill and it breaks our heart to have to close areas."

A holidaying Hawkes Bay plumber, and the contractors sampling water at the site on Tuesday, both also laid the blame for blockages on the incorrect disposal of wet wipes, whether by visitors or locals, and during the summer season, things like fat from barbecues.

But they were also critical of manufacturers' claims on the disposability of products.

Consumer organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom have in recent years challenged a number of manufacturers of baby wipe products - including in December a major brand of baby wipes that claimed to be "100 per cent biodegradable" being recalled after a Consumer NZ test found the claim was misleading.

ROBERT STEVEN/STUFF Scrape oil into the bin or it'll solidify and clog up pipes, sending wastewater into the lake, Taupo District Council says.

Labelling that stated brands were "100 per cent vegetable fibre" and "100 cent biodegradable" was not backed by Consumer NZ's testing so Global Products, which imported the wipes, agreed to withdraw the product.

That the problem was not just local was reiterated by Green.

"It's around the world - but the lake is what makes Taupō special, so it's the same message 'throw them in the bin'."

The 'all clear' results from the water testing were posted on the TDC's Facebook page on the afternoon of December 31.