A group campaigning to stop the pollution of fresh waterways says the country is on their side.

Choose Clean Water has been gathering signatures for a petition asking Parliament to set a 'swimmable' standard for all fresh waterways.

The group's spokesperson Marnie Prickett said they've been positively received.

"We're getting a sense of desperation from people in New Zealand now that they are watching their rivers and lakes get more and more polluted in front of their eyes and we're seeing that people really want change."

She said the Lake Taylor saga has helped highlight their plight.

Last month a heard of cattle were photographed drinking out of the North Canterbury Lake.

Ms Prickett said it made New Zealanders look at their priorities when it comes to freshwater.

"It's had an effect on our campaign in the sense that I think people can see how serious the situations is, maybe they weren't quite sure about how weak the legislation was before."