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Pollution incidents by Dŵr Cymru triple as NRW calls for urgent action

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Welsh Conservatives say public being let down—but Welsh Water vows £4bn improvement plan

THE NUMBER of serious pollution incidents involving DŴR CYMRU has tripled since 2016, according to a new report by Natural Resources Wales (NRW)—with the company also discharging raw sewage for over 968,000 hours into rivers, lakes and coastal waters in 2024, the highest of any UK water firm.

Welsh Conservatives have called the figures “appalling” and accused Dŵr Cymru of failing to protect Wales’ waterways despite charging customers some of the highest water bills in the country.

Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “Water companies in Wales, such as Dŵr Cymru, have a responsibility to ensure our waterways are protected—not to allow unchecked sewage dumping to continue.
“The scale of sewage dumping exposed in this report is appalling.
“Dŵr Cymru customers are being let down by a company that is spoiling Wales’ natural beauty and threatening public health.
“The fact that Welsh waterways remain among the most polluted in the UK shows just how badly Labour-run NRW has failed to get a grip on this crisis.”

NRW demands ‘fundamental changes’

NRW said there had been a “huge deterioration” in Welsh Water’s performance since 2020 and called for “urgent and fundamental changes” to how it operates.
In 2024, the company recorded 155 pollution incidents, up 42% in a decade—132 related to sewerage and 23 to water supply. Six were classified as serious category one or two incidents, down slightly from seven in 2023.

NRW’s head of regulation and permitting, Nadia De Longhi, said: “Despite repeated warnings and interventions, Welsh Water has been unable to reverse this concerning trend.
“This has left us with no choice but to pursue prosecutions. Welsh Water must address the root causes of these incidents before more harm is done.”

Protests have taken place in Pembrokeshire about increasing pollution levels in both rives and the sea (Image: Herald)

Welsh Water admits failings, pledges £4bn investment

In response, Welsh Water acknowledged its performance “is not where it needs to be”, citing better monitoring and reporting as one reason for the increased figures.
A spokesperson said: “We are accelerating investment in key areas to reduce pollution incidents with a £4 billion programme, including £2.5 billion on environmental projects.
“While we have made progress, such as increasing the number of incidents we find and self-report, we know more needs to be done.
“We remain committed to working constructively with NRW to deliver improvements.”

Welsh Water also pointed out that across the UK, pollution incidents have increased industry-wide, and that they are improving the use of smart technology to detect problems early.

In May 2024, the company was fined £1.35 million for failing to properly monitor water quality at 300 sites, prompting NRW to expand its own enforcement and oversight powers in future reports.

 

Community

Residents return home after major Carmarthenshire fire as probe continues

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RESIDENTS forced to evacuate their homes following a major fire in Kidwelly have now been allowed to return, as emergency services confirm the scene has been stood down.

The blaze broke out at a property on Lady Street in the early hours of Tuesday (March 24), with emergency services called at around 4:20am. Several neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the incident and assessed the safety of surrounding buildings.

In the latest update, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers have now left the scene and displaced residents were able to return to their properties on Thursday evening (March 26), following work to make the affected building safe.

The incident caused significant disruption in the town, with Lady Street remaining closed while further work is carried out to ensure the safety of the highway and surrounding structures.

Emergency services, including Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, were on the scene for several hours during the initial response. Crews were understood to have dealt with a serious property fire, prompting a large-scale emergency operation in the centre of the town.

While the immediate danger has now passed, authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the area between 11:00pm on Monday (March 23) and 4:00am on Tuesday (March 24).

Anyone with information is urged to contact police quoting reference 027 of 24/3, either via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Authorities thanked residents and the wider community for their patience during the incident, which saw homes evacuated and roads closed while emergency services carried out their work.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

 

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West Wales fire crews sharpen skills in major training exercise

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FIREFIGHTERS from across west Wales took part in a large-scale training exercise designed to sharpen operational skills and strengthen teamwork.

Crews from the Western Division of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the development day at Earlswood Training Centre on Sunday (March 22).

Personnel travelled from stations including Carmarthen, Tumble, Newcastle Emlyn, Milford Haven, Narberth and Pontyates to take part in the exercise.

Realistic scenarios

Firefighters were put through a series of realistic scenarios designed to reflect incidents they may face on duty.

These included house fires with people reported inside, kitchen fires, and multi-vehicle road traffic collisions. Crews also carried out specialist line rescue exercises as part of the day.

Support staff played the roles of casualties and members of the public, adding to the realism and allowing firefighters to test their responses in lifelike conditions.

Large-scale finale

The training culminated in a complex car fire scenario involving a vehicle inside a garage attached to a property, with reports of people trapped.

Teams worked together as they would at a real incident, tackling the fire while carrying out rescues within the building.

Building capability

The exercise was described as a success, helping to build operational confidence and improve coordination between different stations.

It also provided an opportunity for crews to share knowledge and specialist skills, strengthening the overall capability of the service.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure firefighters remain prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies across the region.

 

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Three Amigos Easter Run roars through Pembrokeshire

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MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts turned out in force today (Saturday, March 28) as the popular Three Amigos Easter Run returned to the roads of Pembrokeshire.

The annual ride, now a firm favourite in the local biking calendar, saw a colourful convoy of motorbikes travel through towns and countryside, drawing crowds of spectators along the route.

Riders of all ages and backgrounds took part, with everything from classic machines to modern superbikes on display. Many participants embraced the Easter theme, with bikes decorated and riders donning festive outfits, adding to the atmosphere of the day.

The event is not only a celebration of the region’s strong motorcycling community but also an opportunity to bring people together, with families lining the streets to watch the procession pass through.

Organisers said the run once again highlighted the camaraderie among bikers and the support the event receives from local communities.

One rider said: “It’s a brilliant day every year. The turnout has been fantastic, and it’s great to see so many people out supporting us.”

The Three Amigos Easter Run has grown steadily in popularity, becoming a key date in the Easter weekend calendar and a showcase for Pembrokeshire’s vibrant biking scene.

With fine weather and strong attendance, this year’s event is expected to be remembered as one of the best yet.

Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald

 

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