Fiona Marley Paterson covers United Utilities drop-in sessions on ITV Border and questions United Utilities over sewage spills seen on the same day at Ferry House WwTW.

Like Greta Thunberg’s first climate strike five years ago, Matt Staniek’s first “sewage strike” was a low key affair. While setting up a folding table outside a water firm’s office in Windermere last week, a bypasser stopped by. “Hey mate, I support ya, but you’re causing a health and safety issue there,” he told Staniek.

Suspected illegal dumping of raw sewage into Windermere took place on up to 70 days in 2022, a year in which campaigners said the lake had its worst summer of harmful algal blooms, according to analysis of data released under environmental information rules.

Save Windermere campaigner Matt Staniek has begun a weekly protest outside United Utilities' Windermere Information Centre. Matt Staniek told ITV Border, "This is my version of a peaceful protest, very much inspired by Greta Thunberg and what she did for the climate strike for a future.

New research by the University of Oxford reveals that sewage discharge into rivers has a greater impact on water quality, and the animals and plants that live in rivers, than surrounding land use.

More than half of the public will weigh the government’s handling of sewage spills into how they vote at next year’s election

Less than 12 per cent of the sewage network in England and Wales was built in the 19th century, undermining water industry claims that outflows of raw effluent and storm water are a result of antiquated Victorian infrastructure.

More than 90% of freshwater habitats on England’s most precious rivers are in unfavourable condition, blighted by farming pollution, raw sewage and water abstraction, an Observer investigation reveals.

People have been told to avoid going into the water and to keep pets away where algal blooms have grown at England's largest lake.

The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) said warmer temperatures could lead to harmful toxins being released at Windermere, in the Lake District.

A warning has been issued to 'keep out of the water' due to potentially toxic blue green algae in Windermere. Cyanobacteria can be harmful to humans, animals and the environment.

The storm overflows taskforce set up by the government to tackle raw sewage discharges by water companies in England has only met once in the last year, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Thousands of emergency overflows are not monitored for raw sewage discharge with information taken from only 10% of the total in England, a freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed.