The campaign is tackling blue-green algae in the lake, which caused the cancellation of last year’s great north swim. This problem occurs when too much phosphate is in the lake. Phosphates come from a range of sources, including fertiliser run off from lawns or farms, but also from sewage (if you have a poorly maintained septic tank) and detergents.

We’re raising awareness about what laundry and dishwashing detergents people can use that will not harm Windermere. We’ll be working one-to-one with about 100 tourism businesses, delivering them training workshops and presenting at events. We’ll be working with schools, public events, and community action groups. We did this work last year in Bassenthwaite & Derwentwater and was hugely successful. See our report

Between July 2011 and July 2012, Love your Lakes is working to improve water quality in Lake Windermere. We’ll be helping local businesses, residents and visitors to take simple steps to help. By reducing the amount of damaging phosphates going into the lakes from washing machine and dishwashing detergents we can all do our bit to protect the future of one of Lakeland’s most popular and beautiful destinations.

Aims of Windermere Love Your Lakes

– Raise awareness of the problems facing the lakes with businesses, visitors and local communities.
– Working with local communities and taking part in local events.
– Making visitors aware of the issue before they book so they can do their bit too.
– Providing information and resources for businesses to help them help their visitors.
– Providing visits from our Sustainable Tourism staff to tourism businesses to help them identify ways of reducing the use of phosphates.
– Working with suppliers and local retailers to source and develop phosphate-free products.

You can find out more about this project and download a list of Phosphate free products by clicking here.

Nurture Lakeland is a registered charity working with visitors and with tourism related businesses. They encourage fundraising to support conservation and raise awareness of environmentally sustainable practices within the tourism sector. They have a membership of over 230 businesses across Cumbria all of whom are committed to protecting the area for now and for the future. I’m proud to be a member of Nurture Lakeland and supporting the conservation effort. Tourism and conservation working in partnership for a more sustainable Lakeland. http://www.nurturelakeland.org/