Sewage in Windermere is an "appalling scandal", Commons Leader Lucy Powell has said.

Liberal Democrat shadow Commons spokeswoman Marie Goldman told MPs the Cumbria lake is "internationally renowned" for its beauty.

She called for a Commons debate about the "ongoing appalling behaviour of water companies", adding: "It's home to countless species of wildlife and surrounding habitats, and it's a haven for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.

"It is therefore shocking to read the BBC revelations that North West water company United Utilities spent three years spewing over 100 million litres of raw sewage into Lake Windermere.

"The failures of United Utilities are clear for all to see, unlike the water they are polluting."
According to a BBC analysis, more than 140 million litres of waste were pumped into Windermere between 2021 and 2023 at times when it was not permitted.

Ms Powell said the Government has "launched a full review on water reform".

She told the Commons: "(Ms Goldman) rightly raises the truly appalling scandal of discharges into Lake Windermere. As a northerner, I'm a frequent visitor to the Lake District and know of its beauty and how important it is as a tourist attraction but also as a habitat for wildlife and others.

"This Government has taken quick action when it comes to dealing with our water bosses and cleaning up our waterways.

"In his first week in the job, the Environment Secretary (Steve Reed) ringfenced infrastructure funding and empowered customers to hold bosses to account, and now the Water (Special Measures) Bill is progressing in the House of Lords and will come here soon."

United Utilities said it 'welcomed' the opportunity to meet with the Government, key officials and MPs in recent weeks. 

"That dialogue continues as we discuss our future plans, including that for Cumbria and the wider North West," a spokesperson said.

"We are determined to deliver the step change that we all want to see and have proposed the largest environmental investment in a century right across our region over the next five years.”