Community

New water quality data sheds light on health of Wales’ waters

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2025

DATA on phosphorus levels in Welsh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) rivers shows small improvements, while interim water quality classifications for Welsh rivers hold steady.

Collaborative and concerted efforts to tackle water pollution must continue at scale to drive water quality improvements, say experts at Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as new and interim water quality data is published.

Data for phosphorus compliance shows that 50% waterbodies in Welsh SAC rivers are now meeting stringent targets, compared with 39% in 2021.

In total, 122 individual water bodies within Wales’s nine SAC rivers were assessed – eight more than were assessed for the 2021 report.

A direct comparison between those assessed in both 2021 and 2024 shows 17 moving to a pass, and five falling out of compliance.

But while there are improvements recorded, due to the changes in passes and failures on individual water bodies, the number of whole SAC river catchments with non-compliances rises from five in 2021 to seven.

The Afon Gwyrfai and Afon Eden SAC rivers in north west Wales both previously met phosphorus targets, but now each have one failing water body.

This now means that the Afon Gwyrfai SAC will be subject to development restrictions to prevent further phosphorus impacting water quality. It will not be required for the Eden catchment as the failure was driven by one high sample.

Improvements downstream in the River Wye, which is now passing the phosphorus target, means that development restrictions on neutrality can be lifted in the most downstream water body only.

However, sustainable development will still be required in order to maintain compliance in the future.

Mary Lewis, NRW’s Head of Natural Resource Management said: “The results for our Special Area of Conservation rivers are encouraging, and suggest that the scale of action undertaken in recent years is starting to make a difference.

“But we must also remember that there is a lag between our actions and measurable improvements in water quality, and it will certainly take more time before we see the kind of significant improvements we all want.

“Since our 2021 report, we have seen action at scale – by ourselves as environmental regulators, Government, industry and communities – to improve the health of our rivers.

“What is important now is that we use this evidence to continue to work towards our shared goal of better river health for people and nature. We must keep up the momentum that has been built in recent years, and we must all play our part in driving down phosphorus and pollution in our waters.”

Since NRW’s 2021 phosphorus compliance report, Nutrient Management Boards have been established in failing SAC catchments, tasked with reducing phosphate pollution.

A series of river pollution summits led by Welsh Government Ministers have brought together key representatives from different industries to deliver a plan of actions, including action to unlock housing development in phosphorus sensitive catchments.

This includes an extensive project led by NRW to review the environmental permits of larger wastewater discharges in SAC catchments. In total NRW has varied 162 permits to include or tighten a phosphorus limit – either immediately or within Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Asset Management Programmes.

This work has been vital in informing water companies and local planning authorities about where there is capacity for new housing developments, without adding to the phosphorus load in catchments which are exceeding targets.

Also published today are interim classifications under the Water Framework Directive Regulations.

These show water quality remaining steady with 40% of water bodies at good or better overall status. This is the same as NRW’s most recent 2021 classification but an improvement of 3% from 2015 and 8% since 2019.

The Water Framework Directive Regulations uses a ‘one out all out’ approach for the overall status assessment, which means if one of the elements assessed fails, the whole water body fails. Without this, looking at each individual elements, 93% of water bodies reach good or better status.

The Water Framework Directive Regulations require measures to protect the ecological health of our rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters using River Basin Management Plans to establish the collective actions required to achieve Good Ecological Status.

It provides a set of environmental standards for assessing the status of each water body. Regulators are required to undertake this assessment every six years. NRW has decided to publish an interim classification at year three in order to better track progress of water quality improvements.

Next financial year the Welsh Government is committing £16m to NRW’s Water Capital Programme to help tackle some of the key challenges facing our waters.

Later this year, NRW is aiming to also publish condition assessments for marine Special Areas of Conservation wholly in Wales.

Mary added: “Wales’s marine Special Areas of Conservation support a wealth of habitats and species, but like our rivers, are under increasing pressure.

“These condition assessments will be vital evidence which will help to prioritise the actions and measures needed to improve these highly protected sites.

“It is our long term ambition to align all reporting on water quality data to provide a more holistic overview of the current state of water quality in our rivers, lakes, groundwaters and the sea.”

Phosphorous pollution can lead to rapid growth of algae and poor water quality through a process known as eutrophication. Algal growth prevents light from penetrating our rivers and uses up oxygen in the water, suffocating other species in the process. Wildlife Trusts Wales warns this can lead to fish deaths and harm to other aquatic life which call Welsh rivers home. According to the Trusts, ensuring rivers are in good health is vital, not only for wildlife, but also for the quality of water needed by people across Wales and beyond.

Reflecting on the findings of today’s report, Tim Birch, senior policy and advocacy manager at Wildlife Trusts Wales, says: “Despite public outcry and political promises, today’s evidence shows worsening river pollution in seven of nine of our most protected natural rivers in Wales. These special rivers are officially recognised for their high importance for wildlife, yet two more are now showing significant deterioration since their last assessment in 2021, putting water quality and even more wildlife at risk.

“At a time when our rivers should be improving, not worsening, these levels of phosphorous pollution are unacceptable. Run-off from slurry and fertilisers from intensive farming are the main causes leading to phosphorous pollution in Welsh rivers. Natural Resources Wales needs to recognise the scale of this problem so that urgent action can be taken to restore our rivers for the benefit of wildlife and people.”

The increase in pollution of rivers in Wales is at odds with the Welsh Government’s UN Convention on Biological Diversity international commitment to reduce damaging levels of nutrients in all water bodies by at least 50% by 2030.

Community

Town hall takeover plan questioned as cost figures conflict

Published

12 hours ago

March 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONSULTATION DRAWS JUST 25 RESIDENTS AS RUNNING COST ESTIMATES VARY BY TENS OF THOUSANDS

THE PROPOSED transfer of Fishguard Town Hall to the town council has come under scrutiny after documents revealed conflicting estimates of the building’s running costs.

Freedom of Information responses and council documents suggest the historic building could cost tens of thousands of pounds a year to operate, raising questions about whether Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council can afford to take on responsibility for it.

Budget links tax rise to town hall plan

A budget report prepared by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council shows the authority planning £166,336 in spending for the 2025–26 financial year, an increase on the previous year.

Within the administration section of the proposed budget, the council confirms that £20,000 has been allocated towards the proposed Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The document also links a proposed 16 per cent increase in the council’s precept directly to the takeover proposal.

After two years with no increase due to the cost-of-living crisis, the report states the rise is “directly related to the proposed CAT of Fishguard Town Hall.”

The council plans to request a £147,070 precept for the coming year.

Dispute over running costs

However, debate over the plan has intensified after different figures emerged for the building’s running costs.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said the average annual cost of utilities — including gas, electricity, water and sewage — for the building over the past three years was between £25,000 and £30,000.

But other figures circulating locally suggest the costs may be far higher.

One estimate cited by residents claims energy bills alone could be around £47,000 a year.

Separate operational figures released through a county council Freedom of Information request indicate that when staffing, maintenance, utilities and business rates are included, the total cost of running the building could exceed £70,000 annually.

Consultation numbers raise questions

Consultation figures released by the Town Council also show relatively modest public engagement with the proposal.

According to the council, 25 people attended the public consultation meeting held at the Town Hall.

A further 93 paper survey responses and 17 online responses were submitted through the council’s consultation process.

The council has not yet published the draft business plan or energy survey relating to the building, stating the documents are still under review.

Transfer still undecided

The potential Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council to the town council has been under discussion since 2024, but the arrangement has not yet been formally agreed by either authority.

If the transfer goes ahead, responsibility for operating and maintaining the building would pass from the county council to Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

Supporters of the proposal say it would give the community greater control over the future of the historic building.

However, critics argue the long-term costs could place significant pressure on the town council’s finances.

Community

Community football club raises £1,000 for Withybush Hospital

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY football club has raised £1,000 for Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital following a successful charity guest speaker night.

New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club organised the annual event at the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot on Saturday (June 28), welcoming supporters for an evening of entertainment and football stories from former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

The club said the event was held in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player who died in 2023.

Simon Brace and Stuart McLaren from the club said: “New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club is a local amateur junior and senior football club serving the Saundersfoot community.

“This year’s event was organised in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player of the club who sadly passed away in 2023. We wanted to honour Gareth and show our appreciation for the care he received by donating the proceeds to Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, thanked the club for its support.

She said: “Thank you so much to Simon, Stuart and everyone at New Hedges Saundersfoot Football Club for selecting Ward 10 as one of the beneficiaries of your charity night.

“Your generosity is a lovely tribute to Gareth, and the donation is truly appreciated by the team on Ward 10. We are so grateful for your amazing support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide across the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more information about the charity or how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk.

Community

Local charity hosts cancer awareness event in Cardigan

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORT organisations from across Ceredigion will gather at Cardigan Guildhall Market next week to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection.

The event, organised by HAHAV Ceredigion, the county’s volunteer-led hospice-at-home charity, will take place on Thursday (Mar 19) between 10:00am and 3:00pm.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about local cancer support services, speak directly with specialists and pick up information about screening programmes which can help detect cancer at an earlier stage.

While one in four people in Wales sadly die from cancer, survival rates have doubled over the past 50 years. Health experts say this improvement is largely due to earlier diagnosis through national screening programmes.

HAHAV Ceredigion’s Living Well Manager, Susie Scott said: “A significant reason for the increase in survival rates is the success of screening programmes. Early detection saves lives and can mean shorter treatment times.

“However, survival rates in rural communities, of which we have many in Ceredigion, are still lower. That means it is even more important that people have access to the right information and support.”

Several organisations will be attending the event alongside HAHAV Ceredigion, including Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Cancer Information Support Service and the Lingen Davies Cancer Champions.

Susie added that a recent grant from the Lingen Davies cancer charity has helped HAHAV deliver important awareness and prevention work across rural communities.

Other groups attending include Cardigan Cancer Care and Knitted Knockers, a charity that creates handmade breast prostheses for women recovering from breast cancer surgery.

Susie said: “Breast cancer screening is a great example of how awareness and early detection can improve survival, with more women now reaching the five and ten-year survival milestones.

“But bowel cancer cases are increasing in people under fifty, and deaths from kidney and liver cancer are also rising. That makes it vital that people know where they can go locally for advice and support.”

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the event to speak with support organisations and learn more about cancer prevention, symptoms and local services.

Photo caption: Susie Scott, HAHAV Ceredigion’s Living Well Manager, with a giant breast model created by Ann Shrosbree of Small World Theatre in Cardigan. The model will also feature in the Lingen Davies ‘Titty Trail’, an 11-mile awareness walk highlighting the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.