Working together for water quality
STEP change for Windermere
During September 2025 to March 2026, thanks to funding from the Water Restoration Fund, we worked with South Cumbria Rivers Trust to try to reduce pollution from private sewage systems in the Windermere catchment.
Private sewage systems, such as cesspits and septic tanks, are wastewater treatment systems commonly used in areas without access to mains sewerage. While safe and effective when properly maintained, poorly managed or failing private sewage systems can leak harmful bacteria, nutrients and chemicals into nearby rivers, lakes and groundwater. This can lead to water pollution, algal blooms and damage to sensitive freshwater habitats. In the Windermere catchment, where thousands of properties rely on private sewage systems, improving how they are managed is vital to protecting water quality and the wider environment.
For nature and for people
Partnerships working for nature
The project worked directly with homeowners and businesses to support them to better manage private sewage systems and reduce pollution in the lake and the wider catchment.
The Windermere STEP project focused on four key areas: Troutbeck, Grasmere, Far Sawrey and Esthwaite. These locations were identified through a non-mains drainage hotspot identification exercise carried out as part of the Love Windermere Partnership’s work on sewage pollution.
Through a combination of door-to-door assessments, partnership work with local parish councils, engagement with holiday cottage companies and estate agents, as well as tailored support for businesses, the project aims to understand the real-world challenges around non-mains sewage systems. Expert technical advice and a funded emptying programme, was offered to selected properties most at risk of contributing to water quality decline.
Building a picture
Science-led action
Properties with the highest risk of pollution were prioritised, guided by a new risk assessment tool developed to measure the likelihood and impact of potential environmental harm.
Rachael Halhead, Partnerships and Engagement Manager at South Cumbria Rivers Trust said: “One of the key objectives was to test a range of engagement approaches and identify what works best. This insight has been fed into the creation of a national toolkit to support private sewage system management in areas across the UK.”
This joint effort between SCRT and LDF delivered targeted, science-led action that protects the future of Windermere and supports wider environmental goals.
This project was funded through the Water Restoration Fund, using environmental fines and penalties collected from and sewerage companies between April 2022 and October 2023 to restore and enhance the water environment.
