Latest news with #AfonyddCymru
South Wales Argus
23-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Afonydd Cymru welcomes report into Welsh river pollution
The Independent Water Commission's review, led by Sir John Cunliffe, was recently released, addressing failures in the water sector across England and Wales and aiming to restore public trust. The report acknowledges the unique legislative and policy needs of Wales, as water management is a devolved issue. Afonydd Cymru, a representative body for Welsh rivers, has welcomed the report's recognition of these differences, as the recommendations will now be considered by the Welsh Government rather than Westminster. The report calls for more strategic direction from the Welsh Government across the whole water sector, not just the water industry. It points out that pollution from all sectors, especially agriculture in Wales, needs to be resolved to restore rivers. The report challenges favourable comparisons between Wales and England regarding the state of rivers, stating that claims of 43 per cent of Wales's water bodies being in 'Good Ecological Status' and 90 per cent in 'Good Chemical Status' may not be accurate. This discrepancy is attributed to less stringent assessments by Natural Resources Wales compared to the Environment Agency in England, according to Afonydd Cymru. The report recommends tighter regulation of sewage sludge spreading on farmland, a move welcomed by Afonydd Cymru. The sludge contains nutrients, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals, which can end up in rivers. This change aligns with calls for regulating the spreading of digestate in Wales. One major recommendation is the creation of a new economic regulator for water, a move already initiated by the Westminster Government with the announcement of Ofwat's abolition. In Wales, the Deputy First Minister has also stated that there will be a new economic regulator for water, although further details are yet to be announced. However, the report was criticised for its lack of a clear plan for cross-border rivers, recommending their management be split along borders. Afonydd Cymru argues that rivers like the Severn, Dee, and Wye would be better managed on a catchment basis. The Welsh Government has stated it will take time to consider the full 465 pages and 88 recommendations of the report, which marks the most significant review of water management in 35 years.
South Wales Argus
22-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
New scheme hopes to tackle farm plastic pollution in rivers
The Natural Resources Wales Four Rivers for Life project is working with Agriculture Plastics Environment, Birch Farm Plastics and Afonydd Cymru to increase the collection and recycling rates of farm plastics. Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle their farm plastic at reduced cost at several centres across four river catchments: Usk, Teifi, Tywi, and Cleddau. The trial hopes to work with farmers and landowners to reduce the amount of farm plastics found in the rivers and improve their condition so wildlife like salmon, lamprey and otter can thrive. Chris Thomas, Four Rivers for Life senior land management officer said: 'Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment - they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste.' Gail Davies-Walsh, Afonydd Cymru chief executive, said: 'We are very pleased that this trial scheme is being brought to South Wales. "It follows on from a similar project run successfully by West Wales Rivers Trust last year, so we know the positive impacts it will have in terms of reducing the amount of agricultural plastic in rivers.' The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation, meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot. The Four Rivers for Life Project is funded by the EU Life Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'No quick fix' as Welsh Water makes £8m financial loss
A water company has reported an £8m loss for the past financial year, despite a £46m profit the year Cymru Welsh Water said it had invested a record £629m in its water and wastewater network in claimed this was a 31% year-on-year increase to maintain and improve its annual report said there was "no quick fix" to getting back on track financially due to ageing infrastructure, extreme weather events and more scrutiny. Gail Davies-Walsh, chief executive of Afonydd Cymru, the rivers trust in Wales, said the company was being honest that improvements were needed but added "environmental performance on the ground needs to improve significantly".In April, water bills for households rose by 27% for Welsh Water customers, meaning an average annual bill increased from £503 to £ company said that increase would help fund future are expected to be annual increases for the next five Water said last year a record 153,000 customers were given financial help with their company is one of only three water companies in Wales and England to be placed in regulator Ofwat's "lagging" said investments and plans will need to be maintained and accelerated in order to move out of this Davies-Walsh said Welsh Water was "not being shy about admitting their performance is not where it needs to be" but "the real proof will be in the performance report next month"."It is currently a two star company and we need a four star company for Wales," she said, referring to the Ofwat categories. During 2024-25, Welsh Water said it had improved 144 miles (231km) of rivers and undertaken projects such as replacing the treatment process at Cardigan Wastewater Treatment works, in Ceredigion, increasing capacity at Bangor Beach Road wastewater pumping station, in Gwynedd, and upgrading the wastewater network in Usk, also faced "two of the most difficult operational incidents it has faced in decades", the company said - including damage by Storm Bert in Rhondda Cynon Taf and a burst water main in Conwy Water, which is owned by not-for-profit organisation Glas Cymru, said it has plans for capital investment of £ Cymru chairwoman Jane Hanson said: "There is no quick fix – we recognise the scale of the task ahead and that progress will take time, but we are putting the right building blocks in place."Welsh Water chief executive Peter Perry said: "We know we need to go further and faster to make the step change in performance to meet the needs of our customers, communities and stakeholders."
