Press & Media

Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

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.

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Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

Time to End the Sewage Scandal: Why Special Administration is the Solution

The time has come for bold action to fix our broken water industry. Our report, co-authored with Professor Ewan McGaughey, calls on the government to place failing water companies into Special Administration. Supported by a coalition of leading experts and campaign groups, we outline how this legal tool can end illegal sewage discharges, cancel unmanageable debt, and prioritise environmental protection over shareholder profits.

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Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

BBC: Sewage spill water firm in £156m Windermere pledge

A water company has announced it will spend an extra £156m in an attempt to reduce pollution in England's largest lake. Earlier this year the BBC revealed millions of litres of raw sewage had been illegally pumped into the lake in February. The founder of the Save Windermere group Matt Staniek said the firm's investment was the "bare minimum".

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Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

The Times: Windermere sewage spill firm ‘treated watchdog with contempt’

Water company, United Utilities, who spilt raw sewage into Windermere for more than a week has been accused of treating the data watchdog with contempt after withholding information. United Utilities refused to hand over information on discharges despite instruction from Information Commissioner’s Office.

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Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

Staniek Wins 2024 Tenacious Award

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Matt Staniek has won the prestigious 2024 Tenacious Awards, recognising his relentless dedication to preserving Windermere and its natural beauty.

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Matt Staniek Matt Staniek

ITV: Save Windermere campaigner says the 'underinvestment' in sewers is threatening local development

A water quality campaigner says underinvestment in the sewer network is now threatening whether new development is possible around Windermere.

Proposals to transform a former water testing laboratory on the shores of Windermere near Far Sawrey into a new hotel have received more than 900 local objections, due to concerns over the local water treatment site's 'incapacity' to deal with the current amount of sewage.

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