Lancaster school pupils speak out in campaign to save Lake Windermere from pollution
Pupils from a Lancaster school have spoken out passionately about their campaign to save Lake Windermere from pollution.
Schoolchildren from Moorside Primary visited the Beyond Radio studio to raise awareness of their campaign, which came about due to concerns that Lake Windermere is 'dying' due to excessive nutrients entering the water.
The Moorside pupils wrote to Cat Smith, Lancaster MP, who raised the issue in the House of Commons and visited the school herself last Friday to talk to the children, alongside Save Windermere campaigner Matt Staniek.
The school also received a video message from comedian Paul Whitehouse, who has joined other celebrities including singer and water quality campaigner Feargal Sharkey, actor Steve Coogan, and comedian and TV presenter Lee Mack in campaigning against sewage pollution discharges into the lake.
United Utilities and the Environment Agency (EA) have been widely criticised for their role in the damage to the popular Lake District tourist attraction - the water company for discharging sewage into the lake and the EA for not doing enough to prevent it.
According to the EA, there were record spills of raw sewage into the sea and rivers in England in 2023.
Rules allow a limited discharge of excess sewage during periods of excess rain, but there is also evidence of "dry spills", which can damage the local environment and pose a health risk to swimmers.
"The children felt very passionately about what was happening so we thought we'd do this campaign and write to Cat Smith because the children have lots to say about it, and the children got really fired up," said Sue Cooper, a teacher at Moorside.
Treya, 10, said: "I'm worried that the algae caused by sewage dumping will completely obliterate Lake Windermere's biodiversity and ecosystem.
"I think the lake is very beautiful but I thought the blotches of green algae have been ruining it."
Hugh, 11, said: "We've watched videos on the pollution and we did a very big letter writing campaign to Cat Smith, and she brought it up in the House of Commons."
Vitani, 10, said: "There's a website www.savewindermere.com , and you can sign their petition. They are calling for an independent public inquiry."
