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Windermere's Sewage Solution: Giant Tank Proposed
13 Jun
Summary
- A water company proposes a huge underground tank to improve water quality.
- The tank aims to reduce illegal raw sewage discharges into the lake.
- Construction is planned to start in 2027 and finish by early 2030.
United Utilities has proposed building a significant underground tank to enhance the water quality of Windermere, England's largest freshwater lake. This proposal comes after a BBC investigation revealed millions of litres of raw sewage were illegally discharged into the lake between 2021 and 2023.
The proposed tank would hold a volume equivalent to four Olympic-sized swimming pools. Its construction, planned for land off Glebe Road in Bowness-on-Windermere, is expected to commence in 2027 and be completed by early 2030. The facility aims to decrease the instances of storm overflows.
While acknowledging the need for investment, environmental campaigners like Matt Staniek of Save Windermere emphasize the necessity for United Utilities to cease all sewage discharges into the lake. Staniek expressed skepticism about the plan's ultimate effectiveness, questioning the exact volume of untreated sewage that would still be discharged.
He cited Lake Annecy in France as an example of successful remediation, achieved through a comprehensive ring sewer system, leading to its current status as Europe's cleanest urban lake. Staniek advocates for adopting similar international strategies.
United Utilities stated it is undertaking substantial investments, including £200 million across the Windermere catchment over the next four years. This is part of a broader £13 billion investment to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West, aiming to protect over 500 kilometers of rivers and lakes.
Public information events regarding the new tank are scheduled for June 16th and 17th in Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere, respectively.
