Windermere, We Have a Problem
Save Windermere announces major new partnership & data collection project
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.
Why is this exciting? Simply put, this will be the most extensive scientific study formulated for Windermere. It will span the entire catchment, analysing a minimum of four samples a month, examining all the inputs of nutrient that are actively damaging our lake. It is not restricted to the current date; it will also explore retrospective damage to our lake - satellite imagery will allow us to study Windermere yesterday, today and tomorrow. We will investigate not only land use but, most importantly, the sewage actively being discharged into our lake, a factor not specifically studied in recent years.
The project receives support from the UK Space Agency, which also provides funding through their Climate Services grant. Using Earth observation data, this partnership will build a catchment-wide view for freshwater management. It will use multiple data sources to provide an up-to-date picture of climate change and pollution impacts, helping to forecast future events and outbreaks while mitigating risks that threaten habitat biodiversity and human health.
Windermere is under threat from excessive nutrients, causing the eutrophication of England’s largest lake. Nutrients, including phosphorous, allow algal blooms to proliferate. The threat of extensive algal blooms lies in their potential toxicity to both humans and wildlife if ingested, as well as their capacity to deplete oxygen levels in the water, which can lead to mass fish kills. Windermere, in its natural state, is classified as an oligotrophic lake, which means that if you were to remove all anthropogenic pressure on our lake, algal blooms would be incredibly unlikely or would not occur.
To date, the regulator has failed to effectively manage excessive nutrients entering Windermere, resulting in this potentially toxic algae becoming a regular occurrence throughout the year. Recently, the impact of this phenomenon on recreational activities in the lake was highlighted when the Freshwater Biological Association cautioned lake users against swimming in June 2023. The situation we now witness is unacceptable, and Save Windermere thinks it's time to hold those responsible for safeguarding our lake accountable by shedding light on the shortcomings of past efforts.
Data from the water company, United Utilities, indicates that the largest input of phosphorus entering Windermere is sewage discharges. The data and research from this project will allow us to independently and definitively identify and determine the most significant contributors to Windermere’s eutrophication. This project will specifically examine the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the lake using satellite data from a range of satellites provided by the UK Space Agency and others. Chlorophyll-a in freshwater has been identified as a reliable indicator of phosphorus concentrations.
This satellite imagery will be used in conjunction with data from one of the UK's largest mobile networks, who will provide anonymised cellular data to determine the number of people within the Windermere catchment at any given moment. This will enable us to quantify the pressure from human activity (i.e. sewage) in the area and its impact on phosphorus concentrations in the lake.
This data and research will drive forward Save Windermere’s mission to protect Windermere, along with its wildlife, the local population and its £750 million tourism industry, all of which depend on the lake’s health.
Save Windermere has been looking for a project like this since the inception of our campaign. We've been told that each contributing factor has roughly the same impact on our lake, a notion we wholeheartedly dispute. It's disconcerting to think that at least 13 million litres of sewage is discharged daily from wastewater treatment plants in the catchment area, as per permit regulations for dry weather flow. We're aware of past illegalities at a minimum of three of these treatment plants, backed by comprehensive data. It's high time we quantify the damage caused to the lake by inadequate investment in comparison to other inputs.
Save Windermere is calling for an end to all treated and untreated sewage discharges into our lake, following the work that has been achieved in Lake Annecy and Lake Washington. Investment is needed to protect our lake now and forever. To learn more about how we can save Windermere and find out why complete removal of all sewage discharges is the only option, read our Lake Annecy blog here.
“Windermere's adaptability to climate change is compromised due to the absence of a government action plan for long-term lake preservation. The major cause of Windermere's decline is sewage contamination, a consequence of insufficient investment in outdated infrastructure.
We are advocating for an immediate halt to all discharges of treated and untreated sewage into Windermere. This research will provide us with concrete evidence on the profound ecological impacts of sewage on our lake.”
Matt Staniek, Founder, Save Windermere
“The lack of evidence about the state of freshwater bodies in England is continuing to hamper protection and effective management.
Novel data sources, such as satellites, offer an opportunity to independently monitor lakes and rivers and determine how human activity is influencing these precious natural resources.
This exciting project aligns closely with Map Impact’s principles of collaboration, to bring forward innovative and objective data sources to enhance our understanding of the environment”.
Richard Flemmings, CEO, Map Impact
“The UK has a long history of expertise and innovation in Earth observation, developing satellites to collect increasingly detailed data and using that information to build services that help protect our planet.
This targeted funding for early-stage innovations is all about supporting fresh ideas and accelerating the rollout of powerful new tools that have the potential to bring benefits to a wide range of users both within and beyond the space sector.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive, UK Space Agency
