A CAMPAIGN has been launched advocating for Derwentwater to gain official bathing water status recognition.
It comes as the government proposed to designate 27 new bathing water sites across England, with three other swimming spots in Cumbria being included.
The West Cumbria Rivers Trust alongside the National Trust is urging people to give feedback to the Defra proposal for the swimming spot at Crow Park.
Receiving Bathing Water Status would bring routine water quality testing to the site.
According to a survey from last year, it cited 150 bathers in just four hours attended on many sunny days to the spot.
Out of 21 applicants for the status in 2022-23, only four were approved.
The proposal's success highly relies on encouraging positive responses from the public.
Jodie Mills, director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust said: “Achieving Bathing Water status for Derwentwater 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 to leave feedback is March 10.
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