Cookie consent

We use cookies to track how you use our website to help improve your experience and show you personalised content. You can accept the use of all cookies or manage them individually. You can find out more about your options by clicking “manage cookies".

Strictly necessary/functionality cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Find out more about our cookies

Wonderful Windermere
Methodology Consultation

Lake Windermere

What is Wonderful Windermere?  

Over the next five years, United Utilities has proposed the largest ever programme of investment in the Windermere catchment. We have £200m of planned delivery to upgrade treatment standards from wastewater treatment works and to create extra storage capacity to reduce spills from storm overflows.  

However, we also recognise that there is more we can do in helping others reduce sources of nutrient inputs into Windermere too and we want to go further and do more to help others reduce phosphorous from their systems to support improving water quality, long-term resilience and the heritage of the lake. As part of our plans to 2030, we have developed a mechanism called ‘Wonderful Windermere’, known as a performance commitment, which sets out a mechanism for how we can support owners of septic tanks, package plants and catchment land to prevent phosphorous from entering the lake.  

There are several ways that assets can be improved, including, for example first time sewerage. First time sewerage is always an option that asset owners can explore, full information can be found here and we would always encourage customers to make applications so we can assess if schemes could be provided, however, this may not always be appropriate, or possible. We know from talking to lots of customers that they are looking for help and support with what more they can do if first time sewerage is not an option and therefore we have developed Wonderful Windermere to support customers and communities in as many ways as possible and deliver the greatest benefit to the environment.   

How does this work? 

Through the Wonderful Windermere performance commitment, we are seeking to drive improvements related to phosphorus removal in Windermere. We aim to do this through a range of actions which could improve the performance of privately owned assets including septic tanks, package plants and catchment land that does not belong to United Utilities.  

Working with communities we would deliver a range of interventions that will reduce phosphorous load into the lake and support private customers on making these changes.  

This is the first time an initiative like this has been developed in the sector and we have been keen to hear everyone’s views and ensure there is clarity and transparency on how the scheme will work. We have created a methodology document that outlines how we would calculate the phosphorous reduction from initiatives delivered through the performance commitment, and how we intend to govern the approach. The final methodology will be developed once we have heard from all interested parties and will be applied to the delivery of this performance commitment which runs to 2030.   

Consultation Timeline 

  • The consultation closed at 5pm on 4th July
  • United Utilities has provided the details and responses from all parties received during the consultation and shared a version of the methodology with the Environment Agency and Ofwat.
  • Stakeholder responses to the methodology can be found below and have been published on our website as of 23rd July.