It's a national day to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.
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But members of Tuggeranong Lake Carers hope Clean Up Australia Day, held on Sunday, will highlight the alarming extent of contamination in the lake.
"It's a cesspit," member Lesley McGrane said.
"What we will be doing is the feel-good stuff picking up obvious rubbish, but what needs to happen is clean-up of the lake water.
"Everything that comes from the Wanniassa and Kambah inlets as well as run-off collects in the lake."
In 2014 there were two closures of Lake Tuggeranong. After a 42 day closure beginning in December 2014, the lake was reopened on January 28.
Ms McGrane hoped, while picking up superficial rubbish, bottles and junk from the area at the weekend, the community gained an understanding of the lake's poor water quality.
Ms McGrane, who has lived in the area for 21 years, said she would like to see the lake restored to its past glories after an exodus of community groups who had used it for activities.
"You used to be able to use it but now it's regularly closed because it's a health hazard."
An ACT Environment and Planning directorate spokeswoman said 17 gross pollutant traps were in place in the lake and the ACT government was working on a joint $85million scheme with the federal government to improve water quality.
Ms McGrane said many residents weren't aware of the issue and the ongoing issue of water quality could no longer be ignored.
"Money needs to be spent – it needs to be dredged and cleaned up."
The lakeside event will begin at 10am Sunday at the Tuggeranong Sea Scouts Hall. Volunteers who register to help will receive a barbecue lunch.
