In 2023, nearly 56 million liters of sewage were dumped into the Western Cleddau river in Pembrokeshire, sparking outrage among environmental campaigners. The alarming statistics, reported by the Cleddau Project, reveal that pumps at the Picton station in Haverfordwest operated at 80% capacity from July 2022 to February 2024. This inefficiency resulted in approximately 55,857,000 liters of untreated waste being discharged into a designated conservation area instead of being processed at a sewage treatment plant.
Welsh Water acknowledged the issue and stated that upgrades to the Picton pumping station have been made, leading to reduced spills. However, they also admitted potential problems at other sites throughout Wales.
Ric Cooper from the Cleddau Project emphasized that their investigation was prompted by unusually high sewage discharges from an overflow pipe at Picton playing fields. Upon reviewing pump performance data, it was discovered that the pumps should ideally operate at 120 liters per second but were functioning at only 95 or 96 liters per second. This disparity meant that roughly 20% of waste intended for treatment was instead released directly into the river.
“Imagine the outcry if a tanker were to dump its load into the river 17 times a day,” Cooper remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.
In 2023 alone, Welsh Water’s data indicated that the Picton overflow pipe discharged sewage 133 times, totaling nearly 647 hours. Testing revealed high levels of ammonia and toxic substances detrimental to aquatic life.
The situation has drawn attention from various stakeholders, including Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell. He labeled the pollution as “unacceptable” and called for increased resources for Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which currently investigates only 20% of reported breaches. Tufnell noted that the UK government is preparing legislation aimed at enhancing regulatory powers to combat pollution.
Welsh Water’s waste water chief Steve Wilson assured that necessary upgrades had been implemented but acknowledged some delays in repairs. He mentioned plans for significant investment—£4 billion between 2025 and 2030—with £100 million earmarked for improvements in Pembrokeshire pending regulatory approval.
As local communities continue to grapple with water quality issues and rising pollution levels, there is an urgent need for accountability and effective action from both regulators and utility companies. The path forward will require not only technological upgrades but also a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship to safeguard vital ecosystems like the Western Cleddau.
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