Lake Windermere8 Oct 2021 11:50
Sewage could leave Windermere lake ‘ecologically dead’
Helena Horton 25 mins ago
Windermere could become “ecologically dead” because of the amount of sewage being pumped into its waters, campaigners have warned.
Pictures show algal blooms across the surface of the lake. Campaigners say there is also evidence of dead fish and invertebrates, indicating the waters are not healthy.
Tourists travel from across the globe to marvel at the beauty of the lake and its mountainous surroundings, as well as the nearby wildlife, including otters, birds of prey and many types of fish.
Local conservationist Matt Staniek said the body of water is being affected by the local sewage plant in Ambleside, which allowed raw sewage to flow into Windermere for 1,719 hours in 2020.
However, tourism and a lack of modern infrastructure are also to blame, he added, because there are many private septic tanks which also cause waste to spill into the lake. Holiday homes and caravan sites have been known to have outdated tanks, which cannot handle excessive use.