A zoologist who is campaigning to prevent sewage being dumped in Lake Windemere has warned of an impeding environmental disaster after claiming his beloved dog fell seriously ill while swimming in England's largest lake.

A sewage dump was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of salmon, trout and pike in a stream leading to Windermere, a study suggests.

England’s largest lake is at risk of “ecological destruction” due to pollution from sewage works, agriculture and nearly 2,000 private septic tanks, a conservationist has said.

England's largest lake is on the verge of "catastrophe" unless urgent action is taken to improve its water quality, a conservationist has warned.

Matt was filmed for Countryfile as part of a wider piece on water companies not reporting sewage spills nationally, with the focus being on our largest lake.

Last year Mr. Staniek launched a campaign to improve water quality in the Lake District by submitting a petition to George Eustace, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

"I grew up near Lake Windermere and I was shocked to hear about the levels of pollution in our lake. So for the last ten months I have been campaigning to improve water quality in the Lake District."

For as long as Matt Staniek can remember he has been enjoying the wildlife around Windermere. Growing up in the Lakes and spending his teens at Lakes School in Troutbeck Bridge, gave him access to England’s largest lake and its catchment.

Interview with Matt on BBC North West in 2022, discussing the impact of sewage pollution on Windermere.

Windermere in Cumbria is England's biggest lake and attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

But in recent months, people have been advised not to swim in it or allow their dogs to go in the water in it as it has seen a huge increase in pollution levels. 

A Cumbrian environmental campaigner has called for the Lake District to be stripped of its Unesco World Heritage Site status if raw sewage continues to be pumped into Windermere.

The lake is at a tipping point. Enough hasn't been done over the last 20 years to ensure it is adaptable to climate change. Phosphorus is entering the catchment area in unsustainable quantities and destroying the fragile freshwater environment. Phosphorous is a problem because it acts as fertiliser for algae, and lots of algae means no oxygen in the water for fish. 

Windermere could be given bathing water status after widespread anger about sewage pollution that is causing dangerous algal blooms...