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Lisa Newberry

Tackling sewage discharges in Wales

I spent a few hours on the weekend reading through the Vale of Glamorgan Council environment scrutiny committee papers for next week to brief the Watch Tower Waders, the swim club I belong to. We will be attending the meeting to discuss the water quality as we swim at Watch Tower Bay and have recently had a ‘poor’ water quality rating. We are keen to hear what the council, NRW and Dwr Cymru are planning to do about the state of not just ours, but many of the rivers and coastlines around Wales.    


In an alarming update as of April 4, 2024, Wales has once again faced a significant environmental challenge with the disclosure of the latest figures on sewage discharges. A total of 115,525 discharges were recorded in 2023, with untreated sewage being released for an astounding 1,002,324 hours through storm overflows. On average, each overflow was responsible for 54.9 spills, with monitoring conducted on 99.5% of storm overflows—an improvement from 96% in 2022, yet still shy of the government's target of 100%. (data from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy).


These figures underscore a distressing reality for our rivers and seas, highlighting sewage discharge as a crucial pollution source that needs immediate and effective solutions. This not only jeopardises our aquatic ecosystems but poses significant health risks to our communities.


The agenda is clear and urgent: to push for comprehensive strategies and actions aimed at tackling the sewage problem while also addressing other pollution sources. At the scrutiny committee, we will be calling for:


  • Detailed investigation: A comprehensive study to identify pollution sources, especially following rainfall, to effectively target interventions.

  • Infrastructure improvements: Urgent upgrades are needed in sewage treatment and stormwater management to reduce pollution.

  • Public engagement: Enhanced campaigns to raise public awareness about pollution prevention and the significance of maintaining clean bathing waters.

  • Regulatory review: A thorough review of existing regulations and permits for storm discharges to ensure they adequately protect water quality.

  • Funding: Allocation of specific budgets for water quality improvement projects, including infrastructure enhancements and pollution prevention initiatives.

  • Collaboration: The formation of a multi-agency task force, involving local stakeholders like swim clubs, to regularly review progress and strategize improvements.


The latest sewage discharge figures are alarming and should be a call to all stakeholders involved in environmental management and public health in Wales to come together. We must make informed decisions, seek out integrated solutions that not only address the sewage issue but also enhance societal benefits. This involves leaning towards nature-based solutions over expensive, carbon-intensive measures that place undue financial burdens on consumers.


As we move forward, we need to embrace a collaborative approach, involving government bodies, local communities, environmental groups, and other stakeholders like the Watch Tower Waders, the Blue Tits, Dawn Stalkers and many others. I’ll let you know how we get on next week!



 

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