A Cumbrian brewery has joined forces with a Lake District campaign group to help save Windermere.
Lakes Brew Co, based in Kendal, has created Leave No Trace and has pledged to donate 10p from every can sale to the Save Windermere campaign.
The group is campaigning for a stop to sewage being dumped in the lake.
They want an immediate commitment from the water firm and the Environment Agency to cease all sewage discharges.
Latest figures from the Environment Agency show that since 2020, United Utilities has dumped over 27,787 hours – equivalent to 1,157 full days in four years – of untreated sewage which has found its way into Windermere lake.
In 2023, the most recent data shows 8,787 hours or 366 full days of untreated sewage entering England’s largest lake.
Last year, United Utilities carried out a feasibility study to assess options to remove all discharges from the Windermere catchment. The water company said diverting all sewage away from the lake could cost up to £6.4 billion.
A spokesman added: “Our wastewater treatment works are sized to treat the sewage from maximum population numbers at peak times, and use the highest treatment standards including phosphorus removal and UV treatment to kill bacteria.
“To contribute to the debate about a ‘discharge-free’ solution with no treated or untreated United Utilities discharges, no effluent from the 1,800 private septic tanks or from the additional 89 discharge points around the lake that are owned by others, we carried out a feasibility study that has already been shared with key local stakeholders and we are keen to engage with anyone who might want to investigate this further.”
Michelle Gay, co-founder of Lakes Brew Co, said: “Growing up in the Lakes has always meant days, evenings spent in the outdoors, swimming, enjoying what we sometimes take for granted having all this on our doorstep, but now with children of my own this campaign and the need for action has really resonated with our brewery.
“I want my children to be safe and healthy being active in and around the Lakes.
“If we don’t take this time now to act we will not be able to share the experiences we had with future generations of what it is to truly grow up in the Lakes.”
Matt Staniek, founder of Save Windermere, said: “We are incredibly honoured to have partnered with Lakes Brew Co and to have Save Windermere featured on their Leave No Trace beer.
“As we head towards the General Election, we must make a stand for our lake. People now have a choice: either help the campaign achieve its goal of a
sewage-free Windermere, protecting our lake forever, or remain quiet.”
