Save Windermere Launches New Campaign for Non-Mains Drains. United Utilities and the government have ignored existing legislation that allows non-mains properties to connect to the public sewer system—leaving Windermere at risk. Our latest campaign provides a step-by-step guide for residents and businesses to take action, while we push for an amendment to the Ministerial Code to ensure environmental concerns come first.

We’re thrilled to announce that Matt Staniek has been named one of Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers of 2025! Recognised for his tireless dedication to protecting Windermere, Matt’s efforts led to a historic £190 million investment in England’s largest lake. This recognition celebrates not only Matt, but the entire campaign striving to end sewage pollution and secure Windermere’s future.

Water quality monitors installed in response to toxic pollution near England's largest lake are ineffective, campaigners have claimed.

Save Windermere campaigners claimed a test they carried out using non-toxic dye showed the equipment was wrongly placed, meaning it could not pick up flow coming from a nearby sewage pipe.

Save Windermere and WASP introduced non-toxic fluorescein dye into Cunsey Beck to investigate flaws in the Environment Agency's water-quality monitoring. Our findings revealed that the EA’s poorly positioned Sondes monitor may be failing to detect sewage spills from the main pollution source, raising serious concerns about its effectiveness.

United Utilities had been told by the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) it needed to release environmental information requested by the Save Windermere campaign group.

Save Windermere secures a major victory as United Utilities withdraws their appeal, releasing crucial environmental data after years of campaigning. Discover how relentless advocacy led to greater transparency for England’s largest lake.

United Utilities has dropped legal fight to block access to data on the discharge of treated sewage in Lake District. The water company United Utilities has conceded defeat in its legal battle to block public access to data on treated sewage it is discharging into Windermere in the Lake District.

The following report outlines the findings of our extensive investigation into Far Sawrey WwTW. Save Windermere asserts that the site is fundamentally not fit for purpose with several operational and maintenance issues exposed. We have also quantified the substantial, chronic adverse impact that the site is having on the freshwater ecology of Wilfin Beck.

Matt Staniek, the founder of Save Windermere reflects on a year of tireless campaigning.

From exposing illegal spills to securing £200M investment—thank you for making 2024 one of our most impactful years yet. Let’s make 2025 the year we secure Windermere’s future!

Windermere has once again been in the news for the wrong reasons, after the Observer, working with Professor Peter Hammond, reported their analysis that United Utilities allegedly discharged illegally into Windermere on more than 500 days from 2018 to 2023.

Over 500 days with illegal sewage discharges have been exposed in Windermere, as United Utilities’ untreated spills go unchecked. This blog delves into the shocking data, the regulatory failures, and Save Windermere’s call for accountability to protect England’s largest lake.