STUDENTS from Lancaster University and the Freshwater Biological Association published the latest results of the largest-ever Windermere citizen science survey. 

The survey aims to provide a snapshot of the water quality in Windermere at different times of the year.

Building on results from the previous two surveys in June and November 2022, this third set of data produced by the Big Windermere Survey project includes results from water samples collected by more than 100 volunteers from 93 locations on 5 February 2023. 

The data have been released just after the fourth seasonal Big Windermere Survey took place this weekend.

Key findings from the February 2023 data include:

Bacteria

Low levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria, indicators of potential contamination of water by faecal material either from humans or from animals, were found. 100 % of all sites in the survey had levels of these bacteria that would meet standards for Good or Excellent bathing water quality under the European Union Bathing Water Directive.  

Phosphorus

100 per cent of river sites had low concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus, consistent with standards for High status under the European Union Water Framework Directive.

Total phosphorus concentrations at 21 per cent of all lake sites were consistent with standards for High or Good status; 14 per cent of Windermere shoreline sites were consistent with these same standards.  

Nitrogen

​Nitrate concentrations were low, below 0.95 milligrams of nitrogen per litre in all samples. Total ammonia concentrations were very low with the vast majority of sites being below the limit of detection.

The Big Windermere Survey aims to provide scientific evidence of water quality within the lake and its catchment, helping to identify priority areas where action can be taken to improve the condition of Windermere.

Dr Louise Lavictoire of the Freshwater Biological Association said: “We’re grateful to the citizen science volunteers who have been out and about collecting samples once more this weekend to establish the state of the lake in Springtime. 

"This will complete the first year of this fantastic, evidence-gathering project and a more detailed report will follow. We’ll be working further with our fantastic volunteers and also the wider community to share the findings and discuss next steps.”

To date, the project has received generous funding from Lancaster University’s vice-chancellor’s Prize for Participatory Research (2021-2022), and from the Environment Agency and United Utilities through the Love Windermere Partnership.

The data is available here.