Treatment works that release sewage into a stream connected to Lake Windermere is “decrepit, primitive and inadequately maintained”, say campaigners. The permit, which allows United Utilities to release waste into the national park site, is “unfit for purpose” and contributes to high levels of pollution and biodiversity decline in the area”, according to campaigners.
The sewage being released has been treated, but campaigners say the “primitive” treatment methods at the site mean the wastewater is still harmful to the environment. United Utilities said it is operating in line with its environmental permit and is not releasing any untreated sewage at the site.
The permit for one sewage treatment plant, Far Sawrey, on the western shoreline of Lake Windermere remains unchanged since 1989.
Breaking news from Save Windermere
Today, we have released an in-depth report on Far Sawrey wastewater treatment works. This report represents years of work to compile the evidence and explores a range of critical issues, including the outdated 1989 permit, the ecological harm inflicted on Wilfin Beck, infrastructural deficiencies, and evidence of stagnation in treatment standards, which appear to have remained unchanged since at least 1978, to name just a few things… Thanks to pressure from the campaign, some improvements in maintenance have been made at the site in recent years, such as increased tankering. However, these interventions remain incomplete and inconsistent. This report has taken a few years to compile, it’s a longer read from us but we think it’s absolutely worth it.
