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We are calling for a public inquiry into the Environment Agency to protect our freshwater.
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Lake Windermere is dying
Excessively high nutrient levels are destroying England’s largest lake. We are on a mission to return the lake to its natural state.
We demand an end to all treated and untreated sewage discharges into the Windermere catchment.
The choice is simple. If you disagree with sewage being discharged into Windermere, please read on.
Latest Campaign Updates
What's happening in Windermere?
High phosphorous levels
The single largest input of phosphorous into Windermere is sewage discharges from United Utilities Wastewater Treatment Works.
Toxic algal blooms
High levels of phosphorus in the lake are leading to a rapid increase in potentially toxic algal blooms.
Suffocating our wildlife
Algal blooms suffocate our lake and are a danger to us, our pets and our wildlife.
What Can Be Done?
Windermere
Annecy
Image By SwimQuest Holidays
We are asking United Utilities to end ALL treated and untreated sewage discharges into the Windermere catchment. This is possible.
United Utilities has previously modelled complete removal of one of their assets discharging into Windermere at an estimated cost of £25 million, which in the context of their turnover and profits is a minimal investment.
Since the 1960s, Lake Annecy in France has been transformed. This has been achieved by channeling all sewage to treatment plants outside of the lake's catchment. It is now the cleanest lake in Europe.
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The Numbers
1,157
full days of sewage discharged from storm overflows into the Windermere catchment since 2020
9 months
for a single drop of water to travel through Windermere - this is why Windermere is unique
99%
reduction in the number of sea trout caught by line on the River Leven since 1980
£750m
tourist industry at risk of collapse if Windermere dies
Sewage discharges in the Windermere catchment
Click on the map icons to find out what United Utilities is discharging into the catchment.
See What Sewage Is Doing To Our Lake
No United Utilities Inputs
Image taken above Chapel Stile, Great Langdale Beck, where there are no wastewater treatment work discharges
Below United Utilities Inputs
Image taken roughly 100m downstream of Ambleside wastewater treatment work on the River Rothay
“
The striking feature of your case is essentially a breach of a rule of law, that your business model is based on breaching statutory duties.
That is an inevitable part of the way you carry out your business, you tell us. Not only is the court meant to tolerate this, but those who suffer loss as a result of unauthorised behaviour contrary, we are hypothesising, to a statutory duty are meant to grin and bear it.
Lord Reed, Supreme Court Justice, 2023
Court comment aimed at United Utilities’ legal counsel
Our Mission
To return Windermere to its ecologically natural state, through the complete removal of ALL treated & untreated sewage discharges into the Windermere catchment.
We are collaborating with the local community, businesses, environmental organisations and politicians to Save Windermere from ecological destruction, ensuring future generations are able to swim free from fear and allowing wildlife to thrive in a healthy ecosystem.
If you would like to provide support, join our team, make a large donation or if you have a press enquiry, please get in touch directly.