FIGHTING TO SAVE WINDERMERE FROM A ‘SLOW PAINFUL DEATH’
ENGLAND’S largest lake is dying because of pollution, a water campaigner has warned.
Windermere, in Cumbria, has turned green because of toxic algae blooms.
Local resident Matt Staniek’s petition to save Windermere from “sewage and an environmental catastrophe” has amassed more than 130,000 signatures.
Matt, 26, said: “The lake is dying a slow and painful death. Not only is blue-green algae potentially toxic to people, it can kill wildlife.”
Dead fish, including trout, eels, pike and endangered whiteclawed crayfish have been found in rivers, he said.
He alleged the two biggest sources of phosphorus, which contribute to the bacteria, were from United Utilities wastewater treatment works and 1,900 private septic tanks.
He has called for the water firm to invest to ensure it has the capacity to cope.
There are concerns for waterways across the country following the extreme heat and lack of rainfall.
Dr Gwyn Rees and Dr Mike Bowes, of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: “Droughts can have a significant detrimental impact on water quality and wildlife. The more prolonged and intensive the dry conditions, the worse these impacts can be.”
Wastewater pollutants are diluted when river flow is high. But they become more concentrated when river flow is low.
A spokeswoman for Love Windermere partnership, supported by United Utilities, said: “The lake is certainly not dying. It is, however, affected by a number of complex challenges including the impact of more extreme weather caused by climate change, an excess of nutrients and seasonal variations of the tourist population.
“We are committed to developing the most effective solutions to maintain and improve water quality in the lake.”