NEARLY £20m is to be invested to reduce storm-water spills into Windermere.

The regulator OFWAT has approved water company United Utilities bringing forward four wastewater improvement projects, costing £19m, at Windermere for early delivery.

The funding will see improvements taking place at: 

•   Elterwater pumping station

•   Ambleside wastewater treatment works 

•   Hawkshead pumping station

•   Near Sawrey wastewater treatment works

The company has pledged to make an early start on them before 2025. 

The Windermere projects will increase storage capacity so that during heavy rainfall more of the sewer flows can be treated.

 United Utilities said it will not stop spills completely as overflows play a critical role in protecting communities from flooding during severe storms. 

The water company said the investment would reduce the number of occasions they need to operate.

The subject of sewage spills has become a hot topic of debate in the area with local activists and politicians arguing that there are too many spills in times of non-exceptional rainfall. 

READ MORE: Paul Whitehouse visits Windermere for new BBC show

Louise Beardmore, the new chief executive officer of United Utilities, said: "I am thrilled to be able to begin work early on these improvement projects.  This builds on the £45 million investment we completed at Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere as part of our improvement programme between 2015 and 2020. 

“We have been in discussions with the government and our regulators for some time to prioritise where future investment could be brought forward. The new Environment Act of 2021 sets out that water companies must reduce all stormwater spills by 2050 but we’ve challenged ourselves to move smarter and faster because we know how important this issue is to local communities."

Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District park authority. said: "This is welcome news for Windermere, the environment and everyone who enjoys this special part of the Lake District." 

The projects are part of a broader funding scheme of £914 million for projects in the northwest. 

The money has been broken down into three areas: 

  • £719 million for reducing storm overflow spills, helping protect water quality at inland waterways across the North West – including Windermere 
  • £117 million for habitat improvements in and around the River Eden in north Cumbria
  • £78 million to reduce the frequency of storm overflow spills into bathing waters