Westmorland Gazette: Sewage campaigners launch 'ambitious' project
Environmental campaigners in the Lake District have launched their 'most ambitious' project to date to make Windermere sewage free.
'Save Windermere' announced the new scheme last week, providing a step-by-step guide for local residents and businesses to move away from privately owned sewage treatment.
The group outlined that private, non-mains systems are unable to sufficiently remove nutrients to a level that would protect the surrounding water quality.
Residents are now being asked to connect to the United Utilities sewer network, which will represent a more 'effective and sustainable' way to safeguard the local environment.
Campaign leader Matt Staniek said: "This year, I'm all about solutions.
"A private sewage plant is difficult to maintain, they're difficult to operate, they cannot treat sewage down to the point that isn't going to impact Windermere, and they're incredibly costly.
"This solution is simple, it's sustainable and it steers us towards a sewage-free Windermere."
Under Section 101A of the Water Industry Act 1991, property owners have the right to request a connection to the public sewer system if an existing private sewage system is causing or is likely to cause environmental or amenity issues.
Local businesses, including Chesters by the River, Neaum Crag Estate and Holbeck Ghyll Estate, are now working with Save Windermere as they explore connections to the mains.
In Windermere so far, United Utilities have invested £75m to upgrade its treatment works and pumping stations.
This has preceded a further £200m of investment in the catchment as the water company seeks to make extra improvements to ensure they 'treat wastewater to even higher standards, alongside significantly reducing discharges from the six storm overflows that discharge into the lake'.
