I am so fed up of swimming in sewage that I’ve decided to buy my own lake

Spending a six-figure sum on a nearby lake might not seem like everyone’s idea of a shrewd investment, but there of plenty reasons why it’s a good plan – not least for wild swimmers like me, writes Kit Yates

According to the Environment Agency, there were 3.6 million hours of sewage spills into English rivers and seas in 2023 (Getty)

Last week, while politicians of all persuasions were scrabbling around trying to secure some last minute support, I was doing very much the same. Rather than trying to win an election, however, a group of neighbours and I have been trying to drum up support among the community to buy a lake that lies on the edge of our village.

The lake, a former gravel pit known locally as “Duke’s Lake” or the “Wolvercote Pit”, sits within a 30-acre patch of land just outside Oxford which is currently owned by the Environment Agency. Two weeks ago, it was announced that it was for sale, with a guide price of £100,000. Since then, we – the Wolvercote Pit Preservation Campaign – have been working on raising the capital required to prevent the site from falling into the hands of those who might not have the natural beauty and ecological importance of the area in mind.

You might be wondering why anyone would want to buy this potential time and money sink. After all, this area is not exactly easy to get to, bordered by a railway line, two major roads and an offshoot of the Thames known as the Wolvercote Mill Stream. Not only this, but the site is at risk of flooding, and any prospective owners would have the responsibility of managing a number of private individuals who are currently living on the site.

Surely, then, there are better uses for our money?

Not so fast. Let me see if I can convince you, as I have been trying to convince my neighbours, of the benefits of forking out hard-earned cash to buy this lake:

First, and perhaps most obvious, are the benefits for local people. Many in our community enjoy the benefits of regular wild swimming in our branch of the river Thames. The Wolvercote Mill Stream is one of only three stretches of river in the country that has been granted “bathing water status”.

Sadly, although this sounds like a good thing, it gives no guarantees that the water flowing through the stream is of sufficient quality to swim in. All it means is that the water is monitored regularly so that we know that it is often polluted enough to make it unsafe for swimming.

I have made no secret of my love of wild swimming and my desire to swim in unpolluted waters that pose no risk to my health. The Wolvercote Pit offers those from the local area and beyond the opportunity to swim in a body of water that is free from the tyranny of the water companies and their unchecked ability to pollute our natural watercourses.

Locals who have managed to sneak through the gaps in the fence that currently surrounds the lake to enjoy a dip have spoken of an “unrivalled swimming experience”. They describe the tranquillity of the setting, the beauty of the surroundings and above all, the clarity of the water. Wouldn’t it be lovely to open up to everyone the opportunity of sharing a sun-drenched morning with the creatures that make the unpolluted lake their home?

There are also environmental benefits to think about. As a semi-rural neighbourhood, which has been subject to significant development in the past few years – including on greenfield sites surrounding the village – we are naturally worried about the environmental impact that comes with developing “wild” land. Maintaining the ecological character of the surrounding areas is of vital importance, and putting the lake in the hands of the local community will make it easier to ensure the site’s biodiversity is preserved and enhanced.

One thing that gives us hope that this sort of community-led buyout might be achievable is that it has been done before. One group with similar aims to our own, the Langdyke Countryside Trust, have done it nine separate times. They have a track record of purchasing pieces of land to turn into community assets, including a number of former gravel pits. So while we know we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, the challenge remains whether, from a standing start, we can get our vehicle up to speed.

Our ultimate aim is to preserve this small oasis of Oxford greenbelt for the benefit of the local community. We are on the way to raising the cash required to bring the site into community ownership but of course, if you know of anyone who has a spare few thousand pounds to spend on a worthy cause, then you know where to find me.

Kit Yates is a senior lecturer at the University of Bath. If you want to know more about the purchase of the lake you can register your interest here.