Cardigan sewage spills unresolvable without investment, Natural Resources Wales claims

Clean river campaigner, Professor Peter Hammond of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution last week published

findings from his study of Welsh Water in which he found that the company discharged untreated sewage on more than 2,000 days in the period 2018-23 with almost all of them made when the sewage works was not at capacity.

Hammond's analysis of Welsh Water data on the performance of 11 sewage treatment works in Wales from 2018 to 2023 revealed 2,274 days with permit breaches involving discharges of untreated sewage: 96.6% were “early” when the sewage works was not at capacity; and 3.4% were in “dry” weather.

Among the sites found to be exposed to untreated sewage were 11 rivers and catchments, two SACs, three SSSIs, seafood beds, fish spawning grounds and one of only two UK sites with resident bottlenose dolphins.

Cardigan sewage works was found to be particularly poorly performing, registering 1,000 early spills alone because of seawater ingress.

The BBC reported that Welsh Water admitted that between 40 and 50 of its wastewater treatment plants are currently operating in breach of their permits, with improvements prioritised by environmental impact.

In a statement, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it was aware of the significant compliance issues at the Cardigan but: “The issue is now unresolvable without significant investment and upgrading of infrastructure by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.” It said it had taken enforcement action to require Welsh Water to commit to this programme of work during its next investment period.

It added: “We are currently investigating permit breaches at the site and this investigation is ongoing. Any breaches will be dealt with in line with our Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.”

Hammond recommended:

• open access to detailed sewage treatment and spill data to aid illegal spill detection;

• increased funding for NRW to automate detection and recruit more specialist staff;

• more attention to be put on the cumulative effects of sewage exposure on river catchments;

• discharge volume at storm overflows be recorded and added to spill reduction targets;

• increased research on exposure of SACs and SSSIs to sewage pollution; and

• replace operator self monitoring of sewage works with an independent body.