AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a video showed a large brown blob of unknown origin collecting at the outlet of Far Sawrey treatment works.

The disgusting substance was seen floating in the water.

Water campaigner Matt Staniek shot the video and asked viewers to imagine 'swallowing that as you swim in Windermere.' 

The video has since been viewed by over 300,000 people on Twitter. 

Mr Staniek said he had put in a complaint to the regulator the Environment Agency (EA) after he took the video at 11.45am on Wednesday.

The Mail: The video began with Matt Staniek stood outside Far Sawrey treatment centre The video began with Matt Staniek stood outside Far Sawrey treatment centre (Image: Matt Staniek)

A spokesperson for the EA said: “We are aware of concerns from the public following a report of potential pollution at Far Sawrey, near Windermere. Officers at the Environment Agency are in attendance at the site to investigate further.

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“We take our regulatory role very seriously. We have significantly driven up monitoring and transparency from water companies in recent years and have recently requested detailed data from over 2,200 wastewater treatment works as part of the biggest investigation we have ever undertaken into potential permit breaches. Where there is evidence of non-compliance, we will not hesitate to pursue the water companies or individuals concerned and take appropriate action.

“Members of the public can access the pollution risk forecasting service and check the bathing water quality before swimming through our dedicated website on Swimfo.”

The EA said that it was looking to improve water quality in Windermere through its Love Windermere campaign, which it says is a long-term commitment to developing 'a science-based plan for environmental protection that can be replicated across the UK.'

The water company that runs Far Sawrey is United Utilities (UU).

A UU spokesperson said: “This was not reported to us.  Our teams regularly check the treatment works, the quality of the treated water being released and the appearance of the stream at the outfall. 

"We checked Far Sawrey on Tuesday and Thursday this week and found no evidence of the material shown in the video. The works were operating well and the treated water met the standards required.  If members of the public ever see possible pollution near our sites they should let us know immediately so that we can investigate and take action if necessary.”