Press & Media
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.
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.
The Guardian: Campaigners call for failing English water firms to be taken over using special administration
Save Windermere, and other campaign groups who have exposed the scale of illegal sewage pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal waters over several years, are backed in their call for the government to trigger special administration by an academic who specialises in the industry.
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".
United Utilities' Latest "Proposal" for Windermere: A Step in the Right Direction, But Let's Not Get Too Excited
United Utilities proposes a £150 million investment in Windermere following the Save Windermere campaign's efforts. But is this enough to solve decades of sewage pollution and underinvestment? Read our response to UU's latest move and why we're pushing for a real, long-term solution to protect Windermere.
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.
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.
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.
The Daily Mail: Water company slammed after pumping raw sewage into Windermere for EIGHT days
A water company has been slammed after it has been pumping raw sewage into Windermere in the Lake District for eight days, with Irish singer Feargal Sharkey blaming water companies 'greed, profiteering, financial engineering and regulatory incompetence'.
The Times: Raw sewage has been flowing into Windermere for more than a week
Raw sewage has been spilling in waters feeding Windermere for more than a week in an incident blamed by campaigners on water industry greed.