Welsh Water Discharged Untreated Wastewater into Conservation River, Campaigners Report

Environmental advocates have stated that tens of thousands of cubic metres of raw wastewater, containing sewage, were released into a river during 2023. According to The Cleddau Project, data from Welsh Water indicated that pumps located at Picton in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, operated at 80% of their capacity between July 2022 and February 2024. This operational level resulted in 56,000 cubic metres of wastewater – a volume comparable to 17 tankers daily – being diverted into the Western Cleddau, a designated special conservation area, instead of proceeding to a sewage treatment facility. Welsh Water issued an apology, stating that its Picton pumping station had undergone upgrades, leading to a reduction in discharges. However, the company acknowledged the potential for issues at various other locations throughout Wales. Ric Cooper of The Cleddau Project explained that activists initiated an investigation after an overflow pipe at Picton playing fields seemed to be discharging an unusually high volume of raw sewage. The organization requested pump performance information from Welsh Water concerning the adjacent pumping station. According to Mr. Cooper, these pumps are designed to operate at 120 litres per second but were functioning at merely “95 or 96”. “That means 20% of what should have gone for treatment was going straight into the river,” he stated. “We calculated over 12 months, and it averages out as 17 tankers a day emptying into this river. ” He added, “You can imagine the outcry if on 17 occasions, a tanker pulled up and let it all go.” Data from Welsh Water revealed that the overflow pipe at Picton released discharges 133 times in 2023, totaling nearly 647 hours. The Cleddau Project reported detecting elevated ammonia levels in the water and that analyses indicated sewage was being released at concentrations harmful to aquatic life. The organization stated that the issue was reported to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on multiple occasions, with NRW conducting an investigation in June 2023, nearly a year subsequent to the initial reports. The Cleddau Project indicated that an additional nine months passed before the pumps achieved their intended operational capacity. Simon Walters, another activist, commented that the discharges would impact the migration of sewin and salmon. He also noted that E. coli concentrations were “way” above the safe limits for bathing. He stated: “We used to swim in here as kids. I wouldn’t let my dog swim in here now.” In his view, leaders at NRW and Welsh Water were obligated to address the situation. Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, who convened with representatives from The Cleddau Project, Welsh Water, and NRW last week, described the pollution as “not acceptable”. He expressed his belief that NRW required additional resources, given that it was only investigating 20% of reported alleged violations. He mentioned that the UK government was pursuing “definitive action” against pollution through proposed legislation designed to grant regulators enhanced authority to address companies causing contamination. In July, Ofwat verified that it had issued formal notices and initiated an enforcement investigation against Welsh Water and three other firms regarding their management of wastewater treatment facilities and networks. Welsh Water “apologised” for any harm inflicted upon the Western Cleddau. Steve Wilson, the wastewater chief, stated that the flow monitoring equipment on the Picton overflow pipe had been installed prior to the deadline set by regulator NRW. “To upgrade that pumping station, we had to install new pumps and a new panel, which actually took 26 weeks to be built,” he further explained. He affirmed that it was now functioning properly. Mr. Wilson mentioned that the company was expediting upgrades at various locations across Wales to enhance water quality. He also stated that the company intended to invest £4bn between 2025 and 2030, allocating £100m for improvements and maintenance in Pembrokeshire, pending Ofwat’s endorsement. NRW confirmed its awareness of an issue in June 2023 and reported that Welsh Water had informed them new pumps would be installed by October 31, 2023. NRW stated that the deadline was not met, resulting in Welsh Water receiving a formal warning. The agency indicated that the pump repair work was finalized in February 2024. NRW added that the pumping station is “subject to a formal legal investigation for another matter”.