Campaign Updates
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Over 500 days with illegal sewage discharges have been exposed in Windermere, as United Utilities’ untreated spills go unchecked. This blog delves into the shocking data, the regulatory failures, and Save Windermere’s call for accountability to protect England’s largest lake.
Our latest investigation exposes the shocking illegal dumping of over 140 million litres of sewage into Windermere by United Utilities. Read on to see the full analysis reported by the BBC and what actions we're demanding to protect our lake.
The time has come for bold action to fix our broken water industry. Our report, co-authored with Professor Ewan McGaughey, calls on the government to place failing water companies into Special Administration. Supported by a coalition of leading experts and campaign groups, we outline how this legal tool can end illegal sewage discharges, cancel unmanageable debt, and prioritise environmental protection over shareholder profits.
United Utilities proposes a £150 million investment in Windermere following the Save Windermere campaign's efforts. But is this enough to solve decades of sewage pollution and underinvestment? Read our response to UU's latest move and why we're pushing for a real, long-term solution to protect Windermere.
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Matt Staniek has won the prestigious 2024 Tenacious Awards, recognising his relentless dedication to preserving Windermere and its natural beauty.
The Lake District National Park Authority is reviewing a planning application that could significantly impact the health of Windermere. This application proposes increasing the sewage load directed to a decommissioned wastewater treatment plant, despite the existing cesspit's history of overflow problems. We need your help to hold the LDNPA accountable.
We are on a ship, heading towards an iceberg, and the captain and crew have no interest in changing course. This is the trajectory that Steve Reed, OFWAT, and DEFRA are on, despite the public's overwhelming desire to overhaul England’s failing water industry.
As part of our ongoing scientific monitoring of Windermere, we undertook sampling of a localised but extensive algal bloom at Waterhead on 25th June 2024. The cyanobacteria concentrations exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for recreational use of the lake.
On Saturday, 29th June, over 1,000 passionate supporters gathered in Windermere for the Save Windermere March, demanding greater protection for England’s largest lake. The event saw an incredible turnout, with local residents, environmental activists, and notable celebrities coming together in a unified call to action.
Save Windermere, working with environmental barrister Nicholas Ostrowski, is demanding that Westmorland and Furness Council immediately investigate a statutory nuisance complaint made by the campaigning group.
In a major win for Save Windermere, Labour’s environment secretary, Steve Reed, has announced they will prioritise Windermere in their plan to clean up Britain’s waterways.
Save Windermere is holding a march to protest against sewage pollution in England’s largest lake. The march will be attended by a host of celebrity guests, including Coogan and Mack who will once again join the campaign.
Surfers Against Sewage kicked-off their UK Election Road-Trip at Save Windermere’s weekly Strike Against Sewage.
United Utilities has illegally dumped over 10 million litres of untreated sewage into Windermere. Once again the Environment Agency has demonstrated that it isn't fit for purpose after another shoddy investigation has landed them in hot water.
Save Windermere, in partnership with Map Impact, embarked on a groundbreaking data collection program, backed by the UK Space Agency, to study Windermere. Now we are incredibly excited to announce that we have the results!
The Save Windermere campaign will be joined by special guest Feargal Sharkey for their weekly strike against sewage pollution.
The strike will be held on Monday 8th April from 9-10am outside United Utilities Information Center, 8 Crescent Road, Windermere, LA23 1EA.
United Utilities’ 2023/24 EDM storm overflow data highlights significant sewage spilling in the Windermere catchment, pointing to regulatory failures and a lack of action from United Utilities. Save Windermere demands improved monitoring, adherence to the law, and accountability to safeguard public health and the environment.
In this two-part series we will explore swimming in Windermere. The ‘quality’ of the bathing water in Windermere is monitored by the EA, but as this mini-series will demonstrate, the EA’s reporting on bathing water quality is often misleading and, in our opinion, should not be used as a reliable indicator when deciding whether it is safe to enter the water. Part 1 focusses on the risks of Cyanobacteria and the inadequacies of sampling and monitoring of BGA.
We are thrilled to unveil the annual summary of our primary data collection initiative conducted in collaboration with WildFish. Although we are appalled by the findings. Read the full report and watch the film here.
Discover the failures of the Environmental Agency in the Windermere catchment through an in-depth analysis of a single permit issued to the Near Sawrey wastewater treatment site. This examination uncovers several concerning issues, including unrestricted phosphorus discharges, high ammoniacal nitrogen levels, frequent untreated sewage spills, and discrepancies in monitoring and flow measurement.
2023 has been a whirlwind of a year for the Save Windermere campaign. Since our first event in February, we’ve achieved a huge amount, thanks mainly to our incredible supporters, partners and our amazing team.
We wanted to share some of the highlights from this year and wish you all a very happy new year. We also want to say a huge thank you for making our first year as a community interest company such a success.
We are very proud that Matt has been named in The Sunday Times alternative honours of 2023. See the full list here and read why Matt has been chosen.
The Save Windermere campaign urgently demands an immediate independent public inquiry into the failure of water industry regulation by the Environment Agency in the Cumbria and Lancashire Area. The inquiry should focus on the regulation of United Utilities within the Windermere catchment in the Lake District National Park.
Save Windermere is demanding a re-opening of the Cunsey Beck fish kill investigation in light of evidence obtained through Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests which highlighted the inadequacies of the investigation.
Save Windermere calls for the Cunsey Beck fish kill investigation to be reopened by the Environment Agency, considering the revelations exposed in BBC Panorama documentary.
Save Windermere’s response to the Love Windermere partnership’s stakeholder workshop in November 2023.
The Save Windermere campaign is featured in an upcoming Panorama investigative documentary, titled “The Water Pollution Cover-Up”, airing on BBC1, Monday 4th December at 8pm.
Save Windermere EIR requests uncover illegality within Windermere catchment. Illegal spilling in 2022 on 15 days at Ambleside, 21 days at Near Sawrey, up to 12 days at Grasmere, and between 10 and 22 days at Hawkshead. OFWAT and Environment Agency must urgently act to enforce law against water companies. Water companies, not customers, must pay to end illegal sewage discharges.
Hmm, how can we get United Utilities to pay attention? Let’s try a different approach, and no we aren't going to glue ourselves to anything.
Every Monday from 9am to 10am, a member of the Save Windermere team will be planting themselves right in front of the United Utilities Information Center, in the heart of Windermere.
This will be an opportunity for all those who oppose United Utilities’ discharging of sewage into our lake to come and stand their ground in the Strike Against Sewage.
Now THIS is exciting. Save Windermere has partnered with Map Impact and the UK Space Agency in what we believe is the most innovative data collection project ever constructed to study the inputs into England's most iconic body of water, Windermere.