Panic in Lake District as Windermere ‘choked’ by sewage | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Lake Windermere is being “choked” by sewage, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has admitted as he set the ambition of stopping discharges into this treasure of the Lake District. An investigation revealed final 12 months that greater than 140million litres of waste have been pumped into the well-known lake between 2021 and 2023 at time when this not permitted.

Mr Reed desires to remove sewage discharges into the lake, together with from remedy amenities and storm overflows.

Singer and campaigner has in contrast Windermere to a “open air septic tank”. In 2023, solely three % of samples from the shoreline met minimal requirements.

The Government now has the “long-term ambition” that “only rainwater” ought to enter England’s largest lake.

New measures embrace 33 additional Environment Agency specialist officers within the area and a fourfold enhance in water firm inspections.

Mr Reed mentioned: “Windermere is a stunningly beautiful national treasure – but it’s being choked by unacceptable levels of sewage pollution. [The] Government is committed to cleaning up this iconic lake.

“That is why we are working with a range of local groups and organisations to stop all sewage going into the lake and restore it to its natural beauty.”

Windermere is dwelling to greater than 14,000 individuals and attracts seven million guests a 12 months, boosting the native financial system by £750million.