Most of Windermere polluted with sewage bacteria, finds biggest survey of its kind

Exclusive: Concentrations of faecal bacteria in the lake were found to peak in summer but there were high levels throughout year

Bathing water quality across most of Windermere is poor throughout the summer, indicating high levels of sewage pollution, according to a comprehensive analysis of water quality in England's largest lake.

High levels of bacteria found in human faeces - Escherichia coli (E coli) and intestinal enterococci (IE) - indicating sewage pollution, were found to be highest in the summer months, when Windermere is used heavily by holidaymakers for swimming and watersports.