Key facts
- A £3.6bn proposal to stop sewage discharge into Windermere has been unveiled.
A £3.6 billion plan to build a 12-mile tunnel to divert sewage away from Windermere, England's largest lake, has been proposed. The project aims to combat algal blooms caused by sewage discharge and is backed by United Utilities and campaigners.
The plan addresses significant pollution in Windermere, a major tourist destination and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, with potential impacts on customer bills or national funding.
A proposal costing £3.6 billion has been put forward to address sewage discharge into Windermere, England's largest lake. The plan, supported by local water company United Utilities and environmental campaigners, involves constructing a tunnel up to 12 miles long to divert sewage away from the lake. Currently, both raw and treated sewage are released into Windermere, which campaigners say contributes to algal blooms turning parts of the lake green during summer. United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore described the proposal as a '100 year solution' for the lake, emphasizing a need for long-term investment beyond typical five-year cycles. The initiative, named 'Only Rainwater into Windermere' (ORiW), aims to connect 12,800 people to the sewage network and build new infrastructure. Two options exist for discharging treated effluent: into the River Leven or into the Irish Sea. Funding could be passed to customers, potentially increasing bills by up to £3.17 per month, or spread nationally, adding about 35p per month. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will consider the plan.
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