Karmactive Staff
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged to clean up Lake Windermere, vowing that “only rainwater” will enter England’s largest lake in the future. This initiative aims to address the severe pollution that has plagued this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Pollution Problem
Between 2021 and 2023, over 140 million liters of sewage were discharged into Windermere. These discharges came from storm overflows and outdated infrastructure, causing significant ecological damage. United Utilities was found to have repeatedly discharged millions of liters of raw sewage illegally into the lake over a three-year period.
“It’s wholly unacceptable that this lake was allowed to be contaminated with so much pollution – more than 140 million liters,” Reed told BBC Breakfast.
Economic Stakes
Windermere is vital to the local economy:
- Attracts 7 million visitors annually
- Generates £750 million for the local economy
- Houses more than 14,000 residents
- Forms a central part of the Lake District National Park
The Cleanup Plan
The government’s “Plan for Change” scheme includes:
- £200 million from United Utilities to upgrade nine wastewater treatment works
- Reducing spills from six storm overflows discharging into the lake to two a year by 2030
- A feasibility study to eliminate all sewage discharges
- Over £100 billion in private investment for water infrastructure nationwide
United Utilities has already invested £75 million to reduce pollution in the lake.
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Mixed Reception
Matt Staniek, founder of Save Windermere, called the announcement “like a new dawn” for the lake but remains cautious: “This is so far just an objective, it’s a vision, it’s an ambition and we want to see this absolutely concrete. We want to see a legally binding commitment and we’re going to continue [to campaign] until that happens.”
Meanwhile, a disagreement emerged about the lake’s current safety. When asked when Windermere might be safe enough to swim in, Reed suggested it wouldn’t be ready by summer. However, Nigel Wilkinson, managing director of Windermere Lake Cruises, strongly disagreed:
“It’s simply not true and it’s absolutely disastrous for our visitor economy, we have the Windermere Great Swim coming up in June, with up to 10,000 people swimming in the lake. This misinformation is absolutely appalling.”
Official data rated Windermere’s bathing water quality as “excellent” in the last survey in September.
Cost to Consumers
While the initial investment will come from private investors, United Utilities customers will ultimately foot the bill. Over the next five years, their bills will rise by 32% above inflation. Any additional measures identified in the feasibility study could push bills even higher.
Public Pressure
Last year, protests were held outside United Utilities offices, demanding the government compel the company to clean up the lake rather than pay large dividends to shareholders. Water utilities have faced significant fines for repeated and damaging illegal pollution in recent years.
The problem could worsen as climate change brings more extreme weather, from heavy downpours to droughts, putting additional pressure on water systems.
