Windermere may get bathing water status after toxic algae found

WINDERMERE could get bathing water status after widespread anger about sewage pollution causing dangerous algal blooms.

The lake in Cumbria is the largest in England but campaigners say sewage has flowed into it and septic tanks have also discharged waste nearby.

Blue-green algae, which can cause serious illness in humans and kill dogs, have also been identified.

Concerned that “untreated sewage was pumped into Lake Windermere for 1,719 hours in 2020”, Tim Farron, the MP for the area, has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) to give it and surrounding rivers bathing water status. This would go some way towards stopping the sewage discharge and force regulation on the nearby septic tanks.

Bathing status means that the water is monitored by the Environment Agency, and water companies have to act if it falls below a satisfactory pollution status.

Matt Staniek, a local campaigner, has organised a petition signed by 100,000 people calling for the lake to be designated as bathing water.

He said: “Sewage is still entering our waterways, and here in the Lake District we are seeing the result of this. Lake Windermere is dying. Wildlife is suffering from our actions more than ever, but it’s not too late.”

Mr Farron said: “I met with [environment minister] Rebecca Pow on this issue just one to one last week. I raised it, she is sympathetic and I hope the EDM gives the Government an excuse to take action.

“They need to make use of the powers they already have. There are more and more people open-water swimming in the Lakes so it makes sense to do it.

“My focus on the EDM is, they can use existing protections – all they need to do is designate the Windermere and nearby rivers as bathing areas and they have the power [to stop the sewage].

“There are a lot of people concerned about this.” He added: “The problems with the Lakes are not insurmountable, it’s not an open sewer, it’s not in a terrible state, but it’s in a worrying state.

“Outside of London, the Lake District is the biggest tourist destination and Windermere is the centre of that. For environmental reasons and to protect the tourism industry we want the Government to act very quickly.”

Ms Pow said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs “welcomed” the application and campaign, adding: “We are committed to driving up the quality of our lakes, rivers and seas for the public to enjoy.

“That is why the Government has tabled amendments to the Environment Bill to introduce a comprehensive suite of measures on storm overflows, including a duty on water companies to monitor and then report on the water quality

‘Lake Windermere is dying. Wildlife is suffering from our actions more than ever, but it’s not too late’

upstream and downstream of a storm overflow or a sewage disposal works.

“The Government is also directing the regulator, Ofwat, to prioritise the environment, including reducing harm from storm overflows, through their draft policy statement to water companies.

“This year we designated a stretch of the River Wharfe a bathing water for the first time. We welcome applications for new bathing waters, and if an application has been received for a site meeting our criteria, it will be considered for designation.”

Earlier this week, the Government voted down an amendment to the Bill that would have forced companies to limit sewage discharges, imposing a legal obligation on them not to pollute rivers, lakes and the sea.

United Utilities, which runs the nearby Ambleside wastewater treatment works, said it had spent £40 million updating local sewage works and this should reduce pressure in the lake.