Today, we bring you one of our most ambitious projects—over a year in the making.

For years, we have been calling for the use of existing legislation to connect people to the mains, yet United Utilities and the government have failed to act. So, we’ve taken matters into our own hands. This initiative, backed by Patagonia and local businesses, is a solution-focused campaign—the first of its kind in the area.

Today, we are launching a new step-by-step guide for property owners with private sewage treatment plants & septic tanks, showing them how to request a connection to United Utilities’ mains infrastructure. This forms a key part of our 10-point plan for a sewage-free Windermere, which we published last year ahead of the general election.

We also have a short film which features Matt getting attacked by a swan at the end of the video

We are now working with Chesters by the River, Neaum Crag Holiday Park and the Holbeck Ghyll Estate to advise them as they submit their applications to United Utilities.

To make this opportunity accessible to all, we’ve created a dedicated page on our website with a visually striking, downloadable guide—designed in collaboration with Lake House Creative and local illustrator Jane Legge from Dots of Light—completely free for anyone to access. Alongside this, we’ve also produced a new short film showcasing this important work.

This is the first initiative of its kind for Windermere, empowering people to exercise their rights under existing legislation and highlighting why mains connection is the most sustainable solution—not just for individuals, but for the future of our lake.

This initiative marks the first logical step towards our goal of a sewage-free Windermere. Consolidating these sites is a simple, practical, and effective way to protect our lake.

But we also need your help. Our demand to the government is clear: update the outdated ministerial code to prioritise Windermere’s long-term ecological protection over United Utilities’ corporate interests.

Head to the above links to help us get these changes to help protect Windermere.

We’re truly excited to share this piece of work with you. Please do get in touch if you have any questions.