The Big Issue: Labour has vowed to cleaning up Windermere – but our fight for a sewage-free lake is not over
Labour’s environment secretary Steve Reed has set out the government’s ambition to make England’s biggest lake free from sewage pollution. It’s a notable milestone but the fight goes on, writes Save Windermere’s Matt Staniek
As of Monday, 10 March 2025, we are a significant step closer to ensuring Windermere is protected for future generations. Monday was a truly historic moment for our lake.
Over the last four years, our grassroots movement has highlighted the challenges facing our lake, and today, we have succeeded in bringing the government and all essential stakeholders together around a single, shared ambition: to end sewage pollution in Windermere once and for all.
Speaking on the shores of Windermere, environment secretary Steve Reed has made a groundbreaking commitment: “The government has pledged to work with us and local partners to eliminate all sewage discharges into Windermere.”
This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of countless individuals and organisations. To the businesses that stood with us; to those behind the scenes, such as the Pattinson family and Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, who helped make Save Windermere the movement it is today; to our volunteers and supporters; and to every single person who has demanded better for our lake – we thank you.
We also want to acknowledge the leadership of United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore and Environment Agency area director Carol Holt, who have worked with us in recent months to help make this week’s announcement possible. We are also pleased to be working alongside others in the steering committee tasked with delivering a sewage-free Windermere.
But let’s be clear – this is not the end. This is just the beginning of the next phase in our mission to Save Windermere.
While Monday marked the biggest breakthrough yet, it remains a promise. Nothing is set in stone, and nothing is legally binding. We won’t allow this issue to be kicked into the long grass. We must keep up the momentum until these words become cast-iron, legal commitments.
We need you – our supporters, campaigners, and high-profile advocates – now more than ever. This is our moment to ensure Windermere is protected forever, to turn ambition into action, and to make sure our lake can never be exploited again.
Together, we can make Windermere the cleanest lake in the country – preserving its beauty for everyone to enjoy, admire and be inspired by.
Save Windermere is already making significant strides in applying pressure to reduce the impact of sewage on the lake. This includes securing a £190m investment for the lake over the next five years and campaigning to raise awareness of lesser-known legislation, ensuring people understand their rights under the Water Industry Act. As part of this, we are supporting local businesses with private sewage treatment systems in requesting connections to the mains through United Utilities – a right that has not been proactively communicated to the public. Save Windermere is actively working to change that.
This alone will not protect our lake forever – that’s why Labour’s announcement is critical in our fight to safeguard Windermere. We must see an end to sewage pollution, as it is the only way to truly protect our lake now and for future generations. It’s time to stop the sewage. It’s time to Save Windermere for the people of this nation.
