31 March 2026

We’re committed to keeping the community, and all those with an interest in Windermere, informed about our progress. The last three months has shown that collaboration, teamwork and accountability are key to ensuring we are successful as everyone has a role to play in making Windermere a healthy, thriving place for future generations.

Below is an example of some of the actions taken in the last three months.

Our work to improve sewage treatment

The Partnership is committed to tackling all sources of pollution.  By working together, and with our community, the following progress has been made:

• A fabulous 72 property owners, committed to doing their bit to help Windermere, have accessed free septic tank surveys and maintenance through South Cumbria Rivers Trust’s STEP project. The project held five events and reached out to 223 properties with an offer of free septic tank advice and guidance. While funding for this project is coming to an end, you can still access the advice and guidance here.
• 47 food businesses have shown great commitment to Windermere by working with Environmental Compliance and Services to improve their use of fat traps, doing their bit to reduce sewer blockages.
• 3,600 boat owners have received information on ‘Greener Boating’, helping them identify their nearest wastewater pump out facility and other ways to get ready for the 2026 season ahead.

United Utilities £200 million investment to reduce spills and further improvement treatment standards at its site by 2030 is underway, with the company offering updates online or via the shop in Windermere town centre.

The Environment Agency published a blog earlier this year to explain its role as regulator and the work it has done so far in Windermere, which includes inspection of all permitted sites.

Land Management for a positive impact

The Love Windermere Partnership believes that there is a positive role land-management can play in securing a brighter future.  We have a few projects underway already:

• Sediment fingerprinting in Troutbeck has worked with a team of volunteer citizen scientists to collect 79 soil samples from a variety of locations in the catchment.  A sediment interceptor (that’s a drainpipe to you and me!) was installed and the team at a specialist agricultural and soil health research company is now analysing the results.
• As part of a county-wide project, sites have been identified in the Windermere catchment to offer wash down stations for lake users to limit the spread of non-native invasive species. 
• A Local Development Order has been adopted by the Lake District National Park. This Order enables septic tanks to be replaced without full planning permission, all part of our commitment to enable people make positive choices that help Windermere’s water quality.  

Our commitment to offer information

Love Windermere is clear our work should be guided by science and by feedback from you.  Making it easy to access the science we use is a key part of this theme in our Action Plan.  We have lots of exciting projects underway but in the last few months we have delivered:

• Tours of Windermere (Tower Wood) wastewater treatment works remain popular. More than 30 community tours have taken place since they were started in 2023 welcoming locals, visitors and special focus groups to see how wastewater is treated by the water company. 
• The Partnership published its calendar of monthly drop in sessions to make it easy to meet face to face with partners, ask questions and hear about the work the partnership is doing.
• Our education pilot was well received by 19 pupils at Goodly Dale Primary School, Windermere.  The children took part in 5 sessions explaining how catchments work and how everyday actions can help improve water quality. This programme is now being offered to other schools across the catchment.

With 29 of our 33 actions underway, Love Windermere’s commitment to deliver work that improves water quality is clear. We’re delivering action now through projects that we know will benefit Windermere short and long-term and we’re excited to be involved and keeping our eye on the Only Rainwater into Windermere project, so together we can secure a brighter, healthier future for Windermere.

Be part of something special today:

• Read a Changing Windermere, the science behind what we do.
• Download our Action Plan and see which actions are relevant to you.
• Follow us on social media, looking out for opportunities to get involved.
• Find out more by attending our drop-in events.