Press & Media
Far Sawrey WwTW Site Review and Ecological Damage on Wilfin Beck
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.
Big Issue: 'In the world of campaigning, hope is essential'
Matt Staniek, the founder of Save Windermere reflects on a year of tireless campaigning.
Leigh Day: Windermere pollution “a national disgrace”
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.
The Guardian: United Utilities refuses to hand over data on sewage discharges into Windermere
United Utilities refuses to hand over data on sewage discharges into Windermere. Water company claims information is not in the public interest despite widespread pollution of UK waters.
The Guardian: ‘It’s a national disgrace’: fury at sewage-filled Windermere over toxic algae and dead fish
Campaigners blame United Utilities for blighting famous lake with raw effluent.
The Guardian: UK ‘falling behind’ on sewage pollution regulation while EU tightens rules
The UK is falling further behind on sewage pollution regulation as the EU tightens its rules to clean up Europe’s waterways, say critics.
The Guardian: Thousands of blue-clad protesters join London march for clean water
More than 130 organisations take part in protest demanding government action over country’s sewage crisis
BBC: Calls for overhaul of sewage discharge recording
Campaigners have called for changes to how sewage discharge is recorded. Water companies currently only have to record how long sewage is pumped into rivers and not how much is released.
The Times: The Times view on sewage dumping in Windermere, Murky Waters
The illegal discharges into the Lake District’s most famous lake and the failure to report them is destroying the UK’s natural treasure.
BBC: Sewage dumped illegally in Windermere over 3 years
A water company repeatedly dumped millions of litres of raw sewage illegally into one of England's most famous lakes over a three-year period, the BBC can reveal.
More than 140 million litres of waste were pumped into Windermere between 2021 and 2023 at times when it was not permitted, our analysis shows, and United Utilities failed to report most of it.
The Times: UU becomes first water company to be hit with special enforcement measure by the ICO
United Utilities become the first water company to be hit with a special enforcement measure by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over failure to comply with transparency laws.
The Times: Water watchdog chief seeks to stem consumers’ sewage lawsuits
A director of England’s water regulator is spearheading a campaign that could make it harder for consumers to sue water companies that breach legal sewage limits.