Action being taken now will reduce pollution in Lake Windermere from algae growth even as the climate changes, according to new research from the Environment Agency (EA). Nevertheless, more ambitious measures are needed to fully offset predicted impacts.
Scientists have studied Windermere for decades, according to the EA, with each piece of research adding another part to the jigsaw. The new report is part of a wider programme of work to understand the pressures the lake faces and guide action in response.
The study looks at nutrients – substances like phosphorus and nitrogen that enter lakes from wastewater and from land. In small quantities these are a natural part of lake life, but in higher concentrations they can cause serious problems, said the EA.
The research, carried out by the Agency’s chief scientist’s group in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), uses computer modelling to understand how climate change could change the amount and timing of nutrients reaching Windermere and Esthwaite Water, a small lake draining into Windermere, over the coming decades and what different types of action could do to help.
The findings showed that by the 2070s, with climate change, the amount of these pollutants entering the lakes each year could increase by up to 7%, said the EA. The rise would be most pronounced in summer, precisely when the lakes were busiest with swimmers, visitors, and local communities.
Action works
If nothing was done, said the Agency, this would make harmful blue-green algae more likely. Blue-green algae could make water unsafe to swim in, harm wildlife, and damage tourism and recreation.
However, the research also showed that action works. Scientists tested three approaches to reducing the pollution entering the lakes, including upgrades already underway to how wastewater was treated and the positive impact land managers and farmers could have in reducing nutrient run off in erosion of soils and safe storage of manures.
All three approaches reduced the number of days when blue-green algae reached levels the World Health Organisation considered a risk to human health, even when the additional pressures of climate change were factored in, said the Agency.
In Windermere, the most ambitious option tested – removing all wastewater including septic tanks – was enough to fully cancel out the projected effects of climate change on the lake in the next 50 years.
Treasured
Andy Brown, EA water regulation manager, said: “Windermere is one of England’s most treasured lakes and we are absolutely committed to protecting and improving its water quality. This research builds our understanding further and gives us and our partners a stronger scientific foundation for making the right decisions about where investment needs to go, how we regulate pollution, and how we plan ahead for the pressures that climate change will bring.
“The science is clear that local action can make a real difference. Reducing pollution from both wastewater and farming can help protect this lake for future generations, and that is exactly what we are working to achieve through our partnerships with Love Windermere, Only Rainwater into Windermere, and the wider community.
The research also makes clear that there is no single solution that works for every lake and that protecting water quality in future will require a coordinated effort across multiple sectors. Action already being taken will help more ambitious action, that is currently being scoped [and] is needed to fully offset impacts.”
Esthwaite
Esthwaite Water, which is smaller and shallower than Windermere, remained a concern under every future scenario the scientists tested, according to the EA. This was because factors like a lake’s size, depth and historic activities all affected how it responded to pollution and climate change. Managing these pressures well meant that understanding each lake on its own terms was essential.
The Agency said it would use the evidence from the Nutrient Futures for Windermere report to push for more ambitious water company improvements in future regulatory cycles. The modelling approach was also transferable and could be applied to other lakes across England facing similar challenges.
This article is based on a press release from the Environment Agency.
Can United Utilities be trusted with Windermere?
Water quality in Windermere is important to millions of visitors. Are United Utilities and the Environment Agency doing enough to...
Friends of Bylines Network
There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.
STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.
