A two-year action plan to tackle Windermere’s water quality has been published.
The Love Windermere Partnership has published the 16-page document with 33 actions that it said would be completed over the next two years.
It said it was the first co-ordinated, science-led programme of practical actions in over a decade, aiming to improve water quality and restore the ecological health of the Windermere catchment.
Matt Staniek was among the first to raise the alarm about the water quality of Windermere. His campaign quickly became Save Windermere.
While supported by celebrities and thousands of people across the UK, and securing a commitment from the Government earlier this year to clean up the lake, the group’s views and data collection are often seen as controversial by traditional organisations and water firm United Utilities disputes some of the data.
Matt was named on the Green Power List earlier this year and vowed not to give up the fight for the lake.
The partnership was set up in 2022 by nine organisations – Cumbria Tourism, the Environment Agency, the Lake District Foundation, the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust, the NFU, the South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Westmorland & Furness Council and United Utilities.
In the action plan’s foreword, chair Nigel Wilkinson said: “Each action is designed to work with, and for, local people and businesses.”
The action plan is a commitment from the organisations to tackle the pressures facing Windermere, the partnership said.
It covers how it will tackle sewage, how it will work with people and how it will keep people informed.
Under the sewage section, its action plan will include:
- Mapping current wastewater disposal facilities for boat and motorhome users
- Identifying locations where private sewage treatment systems could connect with the main network
- Exploring a pilot compliance certificate scheme for private sewage systems
- Mapping areas with private systems
- Supporting communities in Troutbeck, Sawrey, Grasmere and Esthwaite through an initial Windermere Septic Tank Emptying Programme (STEP) with education, septic tank emptying schemes, and technical assessments
- Partnering with Environmental Compliance and Services (ECAS) to deliver targeted advice to food businesses on appropriate fat trap use and maintenance, helping prevent sewer blockages
- Exploring funding options to help private sewage system operators make improvements guided by expert advice
- Sharing best practice through guidance, case studies, and peer learning groups in managing private wastewater treatment, as part of the Wonderful Windermere performance commitment
- Supporting owners and operators of private systems to adopt end-of-pipe enhancements that elevate performance beyond basic compliance, with monitoring to inform wider application
- Evaluating how nutrient neutrality in the Esthwaite sub-catchment has enabled developer-funded upgrades to private sewage treatment and share lessons learned.
It added that United Utilities has proposed an investment of £200 million in sewage treatment infrastructure improvements between 2025 and 2030.
The partnership added that highlights of the action plan included:
- Tackling nutrient pollution from all sources of sewage
- Working with farmers and landowners to explore how they can make positive contributions to improve water quality
- Investigating opportunities to reduce flood risk while improving water quality using techniques such as natural flood management
- Informing policy approaches through its work for Windermere that balance the needs of the environment, people and the economy
- Expanding the range of people it works with, including citizen scientists, to increase access to water quality information
It added that many of the actions were already underway.
The plan includes a commitment to regular updates via newsletters and social media, and an annual public report.
Mr Wilkinson added: “This is about action, not just ambition. We know that Windermere matters to people.
“This plan focuses on doing the things that will make a difference, based on the best available evidence, and in partnership with the community.
“Restoring Windermere will take time, trust, and teamwork — but this plan marks a crucial step forward.”
The partnership said the action plan reflected feedback gathered from workshops, citizen science, and stakeholder engagement.
Love Windermere is part of the Only Rainwater into Windermere feasibility study, it said.
It is working with a coalition of organisations to explore how this ambitious vision could be achieved.
Rick Bailey, executive chair of Thwaites, said: “Windermere is more than a world-famous destination – it is the foundation of our local economy, provides a living for thousands of people and is the beating heart of the national park.
Businesses around the lake are proud to support this action plan because it’s built on evidence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to protect what makes this place special.”
