Understand the issue
Excessive nutrients, unpredictable weather, climate change and the growing number of people using the lake means that Windermere’s water quality is declining.
Why is water quality declining?
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Windermere water quality is suffering
Windermere water is subject to damaging phosphates from land use, pollution from mains sewage, private septic tanks and other sources.
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Too much phosphate = lower water quality
Too much phosphate in the water creates Algal blooms - rapid growth of microscopic algae in water, resulting in a coloured scum on the surface.
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Windermere ecosystems are being damaged
Algal blooms are harmful to human and animal health and is damaging the balance of the ecosystem.
Learn more about the science
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Environment Agency Infographic
Learn more about the issues that impact our water quality through this downloadable infographic.
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Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Learn about what algal blooms are.
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Freshwater Biological Association
A detailed report on the State of Windermere from 2022.
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The Lake District Foundation
Learn how to encourage Greener Boating in this infographic.