Panic in Lake District as Windermere 'choked' by sewage

Lake Windermere is being “choked” by sewage, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has admitted as he set the ambition of stopping discharges into this treasure of the Lake District. An investigation revealed last year that more than 140million litres of waste were pumped into the famous lake between 2021 and 2023 at time when this not permitted. Mr Reed wants to eliminate sewage discharges into the lake, including from treatment facilities and storm overflows.

Singer and campaigner has compared Windermere to a “open air septic tank”. In 2023, only three percent of samples from the shoreline met minimum standards. The Government now has the “long-term ambition” that “only rainwater” should enter England’s largest lake.



New measures include 33 extra Environment Agency specialist officers in the region and a fourfold increase in water company inspections. Mr Reed said: “Windermere is a stunningly beautiful national treasure – but it’s being choked by unacceptable levels of sewage pollution. [The] Government is committed to cleaning up this iconic lake.

“That is why we are working with a range of local groups and organisations to stop all sewage going into the lake and restore it to its natural beauty.” Windermere is home to more than 14,000 people and attracts seven million visitors a year, boosting the local economy by £750million..