Weeks 79, 80, and 81 of the Strike Against Sewage We’re amazed that after all this time, not a single week has passed where we’ve stood alone on the streets of Windermere. Every strike, without fail, people have joined us. Some proudly dressed in poo attire… but we are united in our protest against United Utilities’ continued dumping of sewage into our lake. This kind of dedication speaks volumes to us. Just a reminder: we gather every week outside the United Utilities Information Centre in Windermere from 9am to 10am. The strike is an open invitation for anyone to come and learn more about why we’re here, to challenge us if you disagree, and to help raise awareness of the urgent need to Save Windermere. Come stand with us. savewindermere.com

Windermere vs Buttermere Which would you rather swim in? Lake 1 (Windermere): Used as a dumping ground for sewage by United Utilities — a £7 billion private water company. Lake 2 (Buttermere): Receives no sewage discharges from United Utilities. Windermere shouldn’t look like this. Yes, these lakes aren’t identical — but this is a critical distinction. 📍First image: taken this morning at Cockshott Point
📍Second image: taken yesterday at Buttermere savewindermere.com

That’s a wrap! Week 24 of the strike against sewage has come to an end. That’s now officially two days of my life spent outside of this monstrous waste of money. It’s been a while since I’ve gone 24 hours without sleep, and I don’t want to do it again anytime soon! Visit savewindermere.com to support the campaign and join the fight to save our lake.

@watervole3 from your expert judgement, is Ambleside WwTW fully compliant with its permit from the data you’ve analysed ? Just to remind everyone, the Environmental Audit Committee specified that Professor Hammonds analysis of illegality far surpassed the capacity of the Agency and even the water companies. Thames Water, as an example, does not refute Professor Hammonds analysis. United Utilities is welcomed to produce the data that contradicts Professor Hammond, but they are yet to do so and refuse to provide data. And where is the @EnvAgency in all of this ? Not holding United Utilities accountable yet again. @Feargal_Sharkey @WindrushWasp @Jamie_Woodward_ @DrAlexFord @WildFishCons

Over 27,700 hours of untreated sewage has officially found its way into Windermere since 2020. Today marks the annual release of United Utilities EDM data by the Environment Agency, which shows that in 2023, 8787 hours of untreated sewage made its way into Windermere. That equates to 366 days of last year. The results are shocking. 4,014,964 hours on 477,927 occasions dumping sewage into England's rivers, an all time record. The staggering 2023 EDM data reflects the water industry’s prioritisation of profit over environmental protection even here in the Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. This is not about the weather. It is a result of deliberate commercial decisions to not invest in infrastructure to maximise dividend returns. As a result, millions upon millions of liters of untreated sewage have entered a lake that retains much of what is dumped into it. The @financialtimes reported that nationally, 79.4% of spilling is due to lack of capacity. What is just as shocking is that the EA has permitted this, despite the 1991 Urban Wastewater Directive stating that storm spilling is only allowed to occur in exceptional circumstances. Currently, in the catchment, the EA is permitting spilling after just 0.25mm [1/4 of a mm] of rain. United Utilities’ next round of investment in Windermere is totally inadequate to protect our lake. The EA is failing in its duty to hold United Utilities accountable, and this is the result. If you want to join the fight to Save Windermere, please sign up to our website [ savewindermere.com ] and explore the ways in which you can help. The video is from Near Sawrey WwTW discharging directly into a Site of Special Scientific Interest. @Feargal_Sharkey @Jamie_Woodward_ @WindrushWasp @ChrisGPackham @campbellclaret @timfarron

Tonight, you might see some of Save Windermere’s work featured on Channel 4 News. We have just published part 1 of our blog series on Bathing Water. This piece primarily focuses on blue-green algae in Windermere, which is arguably the largest risk to people's health when swimming in the lake. We think Bathing Water Classifications are being used as a greenwashing tool by the EA and United Utilities. Part two of this series will delve into this in more detail. You can read today's full investigation here savewindermere.com/news/save…, but some of our key findings include: •Despite being designated as Excellent since 2017, the bathing water classification provided by the Environment Agency (EA) fails to accurately reflect the presence and potential toxicity of blue-green algae (BGA) blooms in the lake. •We believe the EA is failing to meet the legal standards set by the Bathing Water legislation. The legislation specifically states “Where any bathing water profile indicates a potential for cyanobacterial proliferation, the appropriate agency must undertake appropriate monitoring at the bathing water at the frequency necessary to allow adequate management measures to be put in place in accordance with regulation.“ The EA takes a reactive approach to monitoring BGA in Windermere which we argue is not complying with this legislation. •WHO recommendations stress the need for regular and proactive monitoring of cyanobacteria in bathing waters. •EA's sampling methodology for BGA lacks rigour and fails to adequately assess toxicity levels. •Lack of communication and transparency from the EA undermines public safety efforts during algal bloom events and further exacerbates the risk, as evidenced by the inadequate response to the extensive BGA bloom in the summer of 2022. •In-depth analysis by independent internationally renowned algal expert reveals concerning levels of toxicity in Windermere's BGA blooms. @Feargal_Sharkey @timfarron @WindrushWasp @RWindscheffel

Sewage discharging in #LakeDistrict river. United Utilities doing what they do best. Video taken at 10am this morning on the river Brathay. The Environment Agency is permitting up to 1.1 million litres a day of sewage to come out of this pipe. This is making its way into Englands largest lake in a @UNESCO world heritage site and National Park. Save Windermere has made a new short film about this pipe ⬇️ youtu.be/G6F_6HGnB9c?si=ezXb… Help the campaign by signing up to our website ⬇️ savewindermere.com @Feargal_Sharkey @Jamie_Woodward_ @WindrushWasp