Organisers of a campaign to achieve bathing water status for Derwentwater are asking people to give their views as soon as they can.
West Cumbria Rivers Trust, in partnership with The National Trust, is spearheading the campaign and wants people to give their feedback as part of a national consultation by Defra.
The benefits of receiving the status are regular water quality testing and increased information for users on the safety of the water.
The proposed bathing water site is at Crow Park. A survey from last summer cited 150 bathers in just four hours on many sunny days.
In order for Bathing Water status to be given, the site is required to have a minimum infrastructure of public toilets, car parking, litter bins and cafes – all of which are available in and around Crow Park and its adjoining Lakeside area.
The more positive responses the consultation collects, the higher the likelihood of the proposal being successful, the trust said. Of the 21 applicants for the status in 2022-23, just four were approved.
Jodie Mills, director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust, said: “Achieving this status for Derwent Water isn’t about increasing the number of bathers.
“People are enjoying the lake regardless of its status as our surveys show, this is about increasing transparency on what is in our water and ensuring this wonderful asset is fit for us all to enjoy.
“Regular testing will ensure that we know whether these waters are fit to swim in and where there are issues found, it enables them to be rectified. It’s a very short window to feedback, so please get involved by giving your support to the campaign and feeding back.”
The deadline for feedback is March 10. Click here to take part.
