FEARS that raw sewage is to be pumped into Windermere close to a popular bathing beach have been dismissed by United Utilities.

The company admits it intends to pump untreated, but diluted, sewage into the lake to alleviate flooding at the tourist information centre in Glebe Road, Bowness.

But a spokeswoman said concerns that it would affect bathers at Cockshott Point were misplaced.

Polly Rouke said that sewage from the pipe would be pumped into the centre of the lake and not off the beach.

She insisted no extra sewage would go into the water – but there would be the capacity for more rainwater to be mixed with existing sewage which goes into the lake during heavy rainfall.

“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are carrying out work all over the Lake District to reduce spills from overflows and improve the quality of treated water,” she said.

However, local Conservative councillors Ben Berry and Ted Walsh have called for a complete overhaul of the current sewers to prevent so much excess waste being poured into the lake.

Meanwhile, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said the thought of sewage being pumped into Windermere was ‘alarming’, even if it was diluted by rain.

The system currently pumps 90 litres of sewage per second into a treatment centre at Tower Wood, just south of Ghyll Head.

But during heavy rainfall, a backup kicks in where up to 400 litres of diluted sewage may be pumped directly into the lake to prevent flooding.

The proposed plan – given the green light by South Lakeland District Council cabinet – will see the system upgraded so that up to 700 litres of diluted sewage could be pumped into the lake.

Coun Berry said: “United Utilities should be working towards a modern system that has the public and environment as priorities.

"As an avid lake user I feel that UU are putting their bottom line and not Joe Public first.”

The new system to improve sewage flow into Windermere was criticised by local councillors.

A public consultation will take place in the near future, with an exhibition on the plans due in July or August.

The work is expected to be completed by 2013.