Over 36,000 people have signed a petition calling for a public inquiry into Lake District fish deaths.
Save Windermere launched the petition last year claiming that the Environment Agency’s investigation into the death of the fish at Cunsey Beck was not fit-for-purpose and its conclusion that it would not take any action on the incident was not sufficient.
It comes as the campaign group continues to build public support and awareness ahead of the general election in a bid to push for legislation that fully rids Windermere of sewage.
Campaign founder, Matt Staniek, said: “We have to show whatever government that comes next that they have to get on top of this issue.
“It’s about making it political. People have to start lobbying at local councils and their local MPs and asking them to actually get on top of it.
“We’ve now surpassed over 35,000 signatures on our latest petition and I think it really shows that there’s a need for regulatory reform.
“Windermere is the most iconic lake in the country and it requires a different approach to how it is protected and what it is protected for.
“It needs to be protected for this nation forever because it’s the nation’s lake and it’s not just important locally, it’s important nationally and internationally because of its economic, cultural and environmental significance.”
Matt added that the campaign has three big expectations of United Utilities and water regulators this year.
He said: “We want complete commitment of the removal of all sewage from Windermere and we want the government and water companies to commit to that.
“We’ve been shown from an engineering viewpoint that it is possible but we now need a realistic cost and how it’s going to be implemented.
“The second thing is we want to see the Environment Agency do their job properly. We don’t believe they have been scrutinising United Utilities properly and regulation is failing. They need to start enforcing the law.
“We’re not supposed to see untreated sewage spill in lakes and rivers of the Lake District unless it’s exceptional circumstances and it’s currently permitted in rain and snow. That is not reflected in the law.
“We also finally need massive amounts of clarity and transparency of data as to where investment is going and what it’s actually doing and for the water companies to focus on what they know and not other inputs.”
Andy Brown environment planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency said: “We are absolutely committed to improving the water quality in Lake Windermere and are working closely with a number of organisations as part of the Love Windermere Partnership to do so.
“Recent data shows a 30 per cent reduction in phosphorus pollution entering the lake however, whilst the situation is improving, there is still more to do.
“It is important to recognise that phosphorous pollution in Windermere comes from a number of different sources including road run off, rural land management, poor septic tank maintenance and misconnected pipes as well as sewage treatment works and storm overflows.
“Everyone living and working in Windermere, or visiting as a tourist, has a part to play in improving water quality in the lake from cleaning up after their dog to checking that wastewater pipes from their homes are connected properly.”
Over 30 people also joined in with Save Windermere’s indefinite strike outside one of United Utilities new bases on Christmas and New Year’s Day
Every Monday from 9am to 10am at least one member of the campaign team is protesting outside the water firm’s new information centre in Windermere.
Matt said: “We’re still doing the strike every Monday and It’s really helped to get the message out there, we’ve had massive turnouts.
“It’s an opportunity for people to get involved and come down for an hour and ask questions and find out more information, that’s all it takes.
“The whole point of the strike is to show we’re here and we’re not going anywhere and we’re not going anywhere until they stop putting sewage into Windermere.”
The weekly strike also drew the attention of the Sunday Times – who recently featured Matt and the Save Windermere campaign on the Alternative Honours List.
Matt said: “It was really unexpected, but for us it just shows the Windermere campaign is adding the voice of the lake onto a national playing field.
“It’s all about ensuring the long term protection of the lake because we’ve never had a long term infrastructural investment scheme to end pollution in the lake once and for all.
“Nationally we’re seeing millions and millions of litres of sewage pumped into our lakes and rivers and it’s time that people see that we don’t have to accept it anymore and there’s no better time to push for it than a general election year.”
The campaign is also aiming to develop the ways members of the public can get actively involved.
Matt added: “If we come together and bring our voices together then we could see a sewage free Windermere. It’s been seen elsewhere like Lake Washington and Elterwater where the total removal of sewage input allowed the water to recover.
“It’s totally achievable but it’s not about us and this generation it’s about preserving the lake’s legacy for future generations.
“We’ve got a lot lined up and coming out soon and it’s the perfect time for people to get involved and get informed to help get this over the finish line to see a sewage free Windermere.”
You can sign the petition by clicking here. You can visit the Save Windermere website by clicking here.
