Joe Lycett calls out United Utilities for 'illegal waste dumping' in Windermere

Yahoo

08-08-2025

Comedian Joe Lycett accused a water company of 'illegal waste dumping' in a video played at Kendal Calling.
The video message featured the comedian at a household recycling centre in Birmingham, calling out United Utilities for alleged illegal sewage discharges into Windermere.
The British comedian also mentioned his support for Lake District action group Save Windermere and their continued action to improve water quality in the area.
In the video, he said: 'I'm here legally dumping waste at my local tip. I live in Birmingham and there's a bin crisis on here. But I'll tell you who hasn't been legally dumping waste, that's United Utilities who have been illegally dumping in the Windermere."
He went on to highlight Save Windermere and their ongoing campaign to bring awareness to this issue, encouraging his followers to donate and to follow them on social media.
UU is authorised by the Environment Agency to release raw sewage into the lake in certain circumstances during wet weather, as long as it is pumping at least 245 litres of sewage a second to the treatment works.
Failing to comply with the permit is a criminal offence.
Founder of Save Windermere Matt Staniek said: "Those who were meant to protect the lake have failed while United Utilities has prioritised shareholder returns over the long-term protection of England's largest freshwater lake.
"People like Joe are fundamentally backing the message Save Windermere has championed for the past four years: we want an end to sewage pollution in our lake, to protect it for future generations of this nation. Sewage is and always has been the main problem in Windermere. Anyone telling you otherwise is trying to mislead and misdirect us away from a clear solution."
Read more
Multi-agency meeting agree action plan to tackle fly-camping
National Gas donates to Carnforth council's green efforts
Lake District drivers warned against parking badly
A United Utilities spokesperson said: 'We are committed to playing our part in improving the water quality in the Windermere catchment. It's why we're already on with delivering £200m of investment to ensure we treat wastewater to even higher standards at nine wastewater treatment works alongside significantly reducing discharges from the six storm overflows that discharge into the Lake. This will help us to deliver the step change in performance that customers have told us they want to see.'
United Utilities is regulated by the Environment Agency who are responsible for any investigations into illegal activity.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: 'We take our responsibility to protect the environment very seriously and are absolutely committed to improving the water quality in Windermere.
'We have recently inspected all United Utilities sites within the Windermere catchment and will not hesitate to take appropriate action where we find evidence of non-compliance with permits.
'Only 100% compliance with permits will be accepted by us and all those who care about Windermere.'