News

Zero cost pumping solution for businesses

Published

12 years ago

January 23, 2014

RURAL businesses across Wales are set to benefit from a major innovation, with a new campaign from Source for Business – the business support service from South West Water – which highlights how to save money on water pumping costs, through the use of natural water sources.

Working with Cornwall-based PAPA Utility Services, customers are now able to make use of natural watercourses on their land using a PAPA pump, the installation cost of which can be recouped in as little as 12 months.

Llanelli-based Emyr Phillips has been appointed a dedicated sales manager for the Welsh market by Source for Business. He has worked within the agricultural industry since 1986, and will now be using his years of expertise to showcase the benefits of the PAPA pump to a new Welsh audience.

Using only the natural flow of a watercourse such as a stream or river, a PAPA pump can provide water to the places it is needed most, with minimal maintenance and virtually no running costs. The pump is able to transport water large distances using just the natural flow of the watercourse, with an average supply of 14 litres per minute. This water can then be put to a wide variety of uses, from providing drinking water for livestock to irrigating crops and nurseries. A PAPA pump could also be set up to draw off water to storage ponds in times of plenty, such as when water levels are high following heavy rain.

Not only is this a very cost-effective solution, but also an entirely natural one, requiring no electricity, diesel or other polluting fuels. In fact, any water returned to rivers and streams after passing through a PAPA pump is fully aerated, carrying extra oxygen that is beneficial to plants and animals alike.

Emyr commented: “I come from a farming background myself, so am well aware of the cost benefit the pump can bring. I’m really looking forward to helping farmers and landowners across Wales to save money on their water pumping costs with the PAPA pump.”

Dr Dylan Bright, Sustainability Manager for South West Water, added: “We are delighted to be working with PAPA to offer this revolutionary technology to customers across Wales. It really is a no-cost energy solution to replace traditional fuel or electric pumps, whilst at the same time being very sustainable in terms of its impact on the environment.”

“The PAPA pump is simple to install and requires minimal maintenance. We believe it is of benefit to a huge range of rural businesses including farms, nurseries, campsites, leisure facilities and large estates, as well as a vital tool for storing water for when supply is limited.”

For more information about a PAPA pump solution or to request a site visit please contact Source for Business on 01392 443567 or email [email protected]

Crime

Dinas Cross man jailed over shop thefts

Published

33 seconds ago

June 3, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Items stolen from Co-op and Tesco stores in North Pembrokeshire

A PROLIFIC shoplifter has been sentenced after being caught stealing items from three food stores in North Pembrokeshire.

The first offence took place on November 22, 2025, when 40-year-old William Lewis walked out of the Co-op supermarket in Fishguard with a four-pack of Peroni beer, valued at £25, without making any attempt to pay.

The following day, he returned to the Co-op and once again helped himself to two more four-packs of Peroni, together with a bottle of red wine, valued at £20.50.

The third offence took place on February 18, 2026, when Lewis was seen walking out of the Tesco supermarket in Goodwick with a shopping trolley full of numerous food items. The value of the stolen goods is unknown.

This week Lewis, of Parc Brynach, Dinas Cross, pleaded guilty to all three theft charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

He was sentenced to six weeks in prison and ordered to pay £45.50 compensation to the Co-op supermarket and £60 compensation to Tesco. He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Monkton man fined after missing drugs assessment

Published

1 minute ago

June 3, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Court told defendant did not appreciate failure to attend was a criminal offence

A MONKTON man has been sentenced for failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after a previous sample showed he had cocaine in his system.

Luke Probert, 37, of Long Meadow, Adams Road, Monkton, was requested to attend the assessment on February 19 to establish whether he was dependent on the Class A drug.

But his failure to show up resulted in his appearance before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who said the defendant “didn’t appreciate this was a criminal offence”.

“He’s extremely apologetic,” she said.

Probert was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.

Crime

Goodwick driver banned after drink-drive stop

Published

2 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Police said vehicle was driven at speed towards patrol car in Milford Haven

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after driving towards a police patrol car in Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Officers observed the vehicle being driven towards them in Dartmouth Street on the night of May 12.

“It was being driven at speed,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After stopping the vehicle, officers discovered it was being driven by Nathaniel Bird, 26, of Main Street, Goodwick. A roadside breath test proved positive, while subsequent readings given at the police station showed that Bird had 41mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Bird pleaded guilty to the drink-driving offence and was represented in court by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“He doesn’t accept he was speeding, but was pulled over and was fully co-operative with the officers throughout,” Mr Lewis told the court.

“He had four cans of beer at a friend’s house a few hours earlier and felt absolutely fine. He believed he was under the limit, but even though this was a very low reading, it wasn’t close enough.”

Bird was disqualified from driving for a total of 12 months. He was fined £650 and ordered to pay a £260 surcharge and £85 costs.