Lake lovers asked to urgently feedback on consultation

West Cumbria Rivers Trust, in partnership with The National Trust, are spearheading a campaign to achieve official Bathing Waters status for Derwent Water and asking lake lovers and users from near and afar to urgently feedback in a national consultation on the proposal to Defra.

The benefits of receiving Bathing Water Status are regular water quality testing and increased information for users on the safety of the water.

The proposed Bathing Waters site is located at Crow Park and a survey from last summer cited 150 bathers in just four hours on many sunny days. In order for Bathing Water status to be given, the site is required to have a minimum infrastructure of public toilets, car parking, litter bins and cafes - all of which are available in and around Crow Park and its adjoining Lakeside area.

The more positive responses the consultation collects, the higher the likelihood of the proposal being successful. Of the 21 applicants for Bathing status in 2022-23, just four were approved.

Jodie Mills, Director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust said:

“Achieving Bathing Water status for Derwent Water isn’t about increasing the number of bathers. People are enjoying the lake regardless of its status (as our surveys show), this is about increasing transparency on what is in our water and ensuring this wonderful asset is fit for us all to enjoy. Regular testing will ensure that we know whether these waters are fit to swim in and where there are issues found, it enables them to be rectified. It’s a very short window to feedback, so please get involved by giving your support to the campaign and feeding back.”

The deadline is 10 March to feedback (feedback has now closed).