May 2024
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This conference examined key priorities for tackling water pollution in Wales.
It was a timely opportunity for stakeholders to assess water management in Wales’ rivers and coastlines, and options for minimising the infiltration of harmful pollutants and excess nutrients, following the Welsh Affairs Committee’s Water quality in Wales inquiry, which recommended the replacement of Wales’ ageing combined sewerage system.
Delegates examined priorities for reversing the trend of failing pollution targets, following Ofwat’s investigation into the performance and subsequent de-ranking of Welsh water companies, with discussion on regulatory priorities, monitoring standards and reporting accuracy, the potential for harsher penalties for serious pollution events, and safeguarding long-term resilience and performance of Welsh water supply.
Discussion also considered next steps for supporting sustainable housing development while maintaining and improving the ecological status and health of Welsh waterways, following the publication of the Welsh Government’s action plan for Relieving pressures on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) river catchments to support delivery of affordable housing.
Further sessions assessed priorities from both an ecological and economic perspectives for utilising Wales’ water resources and improving water quality.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Clare Fernandes, Deputy Director of Water, Flood and Coal Tip Safety, Welsh Government; Nadia De Longhi, Head of Regulation and Permitting, Natural Resources Wales; Tony Harrington, Director of Environment, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water; Mike Keil, Chief Executive, Consumer Council for Water; and Steve Ormerod, Professor of Ecology and Co-Director, Water Research Institute, Cardiff University.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- government strategy: assessing Wales’ plan for water - implications for stakeholders - options for reducing nutrient concentrations - meeting regulation targets
- impact of pollution: understanding the causes of pollution and pressures on the water environment - implications of contaminated water on housing, health, the environment, businesses and communities
- development: addressing current planning constraints and supporting sustainable development - impact of UK government measures to relax homebuilding water pollution regulation on Wales
- investment: securing investment in infrastructure to make Welsh rivers as resilient as possible to the changing climate and extreme weather conditions
- infrastructure: improving efficiency of drainage and sewage infrastructure - storm overflow mechanisms - technology and implementation costs - approaches to driving investment
- water regulation: safeguarding long-term resilience and performance of Welsh water - preventing a resurgence in sewage discharge incidents - implementing mitigation measures - ensuring security of public water supply
- industry engagement:
- the role of the water industry in reducing pollution and increasing resilience and efficiency
- improving sewage management, infrastructure and wastewater services
- engaging wider stakeholders and collaborating with agriculture and businesses to reduce runoffs and industrial waste discharge
- nutrient management plan: delivering a strategy to reduce levels of phosphorus and excess nutrients in Welsh waters - options for establishing a nutrient trading scheme in Wales
- environmental protection:
- key priorities for protecting the natural aquatic environment, emphasising nature-based solutions, and meeting conservation objectives and water standards
- options for relieving pressures on SAC rivers
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Welsh Government; Defra; DESNZ; DWI; Ofwat; PEDW; IEPAW; NRW; DfT; NAO; NIEA; FSA; DAERA, NI; DBT; and The Scottish Government.
