Getty imagesWelsh Water has recorded the most sewage pollution incidents in 10 years, new data shows.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) data released On fridayIt has been shown that the water company was responsible for 155 pollution incidents in 2024 – 23 related to water supply and 132 sewerage – an increase of 42% in the last 10 years, it said.
NRW has called the DWR Cymru Welsh Water to “immediate and fundamental change in its operation”, adding it to the company’s performance since 2020.
Welsh Water acknowledged its performance “is not where it should be” and said it is accelerating investment in major areas to reduce pollution events.
Despite showing a decline in water supply incidence in recent years, sewage incidences have increased from 89 in 2022 to 107 in 2023 and 132 in 2024.
Of the total number of incidents, NRW stated that Welsh water was responsible for six severe category one or two events – last year to seven drops.
Five of these were sewerage property and all categories were two.
In the last 10 years, NRW analysis also showed that the main sources of events were from Foul Sewer (423), Storm overflow (168) and water treatment works (166).
Since 2010, Welsh Water is legally responsible for monitoring water quality in its treatment plants and presenting its results to NRW.
But in May, it was Penal fined £ 1.35m To fail to properly monitor the water quality at 300 different sites.
The report also found that Hafrain Diaphrai, which provides drinking water and waste water services to some of the mid and North Wales Border Counties, was responsible for five pollution incidence – two of which were from sewerage assets.
The number of self-reported incidents by the water company fell to 60% last year, while Welsh Water increased from 70% to 70% in 2023 to 74% in 2024.
However, NRW stated that both have still reduced the 80% target set by the regulator.
Getty imagesNadia D Longi, head of regulation and permission in NRW, stated that “frequent warnings and intervention was unable to reversed it about” Welsh Water “trend”.
Ms. D Longi said, “It has left us no choice, but to carry forward several prosecution against the company, which has recently concluded.”
“This is not the result we want, nor the best results for the environment – our priority will always be to comply with companies and prevent environmental damage from being first place.
“Welsh water should address the root cause of these pollution incidence and take preventive measures before the water environment is overbearing.”
NRW said it would increase its capacity for monitoring and auditing discharge, as well as to fall down on unpleasant storm overflows and present strict criteria for annual performance reporting.
In a statement, a Welsh Water spokesperson said Industry around Britain saw an increase in pollution incidents But accepted the concerns raised in the report.
He said that the company has improved its procedures to meet the challenge, including “better monitoring to detect more short -term events and better reporting”.
The statement said: “We are accelerating investment in major sectors to reduce pollution incidence with a £ 4BN investment program which includes £ 2.5BN on environmental projects.
“While we have progressed, such as the events we find and do self-report, we know more.
“We are committed to working creatively with NRWs to improve and will be closely attached to their new requirements and guidance, including the development of a decrease in pollution, the development of a decrease scheme and using smart techniques to overcome problems in the sewer network, before they can cause pollution.”
