THE SEWAGE pollution crisis engulfing West Wales continues to deepen, with new data and growing public pressure exposing serious environmental failures across multiple river catchments — including the River Teifi and the Cleddau.

Teifi among UK’s most polluted rivers

According to 2024 monitoring data, the River Teifi now has been ranked the fifth most sewage-polluted river in the UK, suffering 2,232 discharges lasting a combined 22,288 hours. The discharges, all recorded by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, underscore the dire state of the region’s infrastructure and regulation.

Meanwhile, Ceredigion emerged as the most sewage-polluted area in England and Wales, with 8,252 discharges lasting 94,836 hours—an unprecedented scale of pollution that has alarmed residents, politicians, and environmental groups alike.

Cleddau declared worst-performing SAC river in Wales

Concerns have also intensified in Pembrokeshire, where the Cleddau River has now been classified by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as the worst-performing Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river in Wales, failing to meet environmental standards across key metrics. The designation has triggered political mobilisation and grassroots activism.

The Cleddau River Project and Surfers Against Sewage have been particularly prominent.

A public meeting held last month at Haverfordwest Rugby Club last week drew more than 150 concerned residents, bringing together politicians, scientists, campaigners, and regulators to discuss solutions. Organised by local advocacy group The Cleddau Project, the event was chaired by Henry Tufnell MP, who vowed to raise the issue in Westminster.

“The Cleddau is a vital natural resource, and last night’s discussion highlighted the urgent need for action,” said Tufnell. “The insight shared by our expert panel and members of the community reinforced the importance of tackling pollution at its source and ensuring our regulatory bodies are held accountable. I will be raising these issues in Parliament and pushing for stronger regulations and enforcement.”

Campaign leader Ric Cooper, of The Cleddau Project, added: “It was encouraging to see so many people engaged in this discussion, but we need to ensure that words translate into concrete action.”

Residents raised concerns about illegal discharges, agricultural runoff, and what they described as a systemic failure of enforcement by authorities.

At the meeting Jennifer Grubb from Welsh Water said: “We can do better. We need to do better.”

Political pressure mounts

Across West Wales, political figures are now facing increasing scrutiny. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have lambasted both Welsh Labour and the UK Conservative Government for what they describe as regulatory complacency.

Sandra Jervis, Welsh Lib Dem Senedd candidate for Ceredigion, said: “Welsh Labour has remained asleep at the wheel—using Dŵr Cymru’s status as an arm’s-length body as an excuse to avoid proper regulation and accountability. Residents deserve transparency and action.”

Party leader Jane Dodds MS added: “The Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with this crisis, properly regulate Welsh Water, and ensure there are real, enforceable punishments for breaking the rules and damaging our waterways.”

Welsh Water responds

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has attributed the vast number of discharges to the limitations of outdated rural infrastructure and reliance on Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

A company spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the public concern and are committed to transparency and improvement. We’ve pledged £2.5 billion over the next five years, including £889 million specifically to improve storm overflows, to meet the challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure.”

Despite this, the company’s environmental record remains under intense scrutiny.

Regulatory failings and rising enforcement

Natural Resources Wales reported 107 sewage pollution incidents involving Welsh Water in 2023, with the number of serious incidents increasing from five to seven. Meanwhile, Ofwat has launched enforcement actions against all water companies in England and Wales, including Dŵr Cymru, amid growing concern that routine sewage releases have become normalised.

Impact on health and ecosystems

The effects are being felt far beyond the water’s edge. Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage reported 1,853 illness cases in 2024 linked to contaminated waters across the UK, many of them in Wales. Tourists and locals have also raised alarm over poor water quality at beaches in Cardigan Bay, New Quay, and along the Cleddau estuary.

The ecological cost has been severe. Local groups such as Save the Teifi have warned of dead fish, algae blooms, and collapsing biodiversity. “This is ecological vandalism,” said campaigner Lowri James. “Our rivers are dying before our eyes.”

From the Teifi to the Cleddau, the evidence is now overwhelming: sewage pollution is not confined to one catchment or one company—it is a widespread crisis demanding national attention. With communities, scientists, and politicians increasingly aligned in their calls for change, the question now is whether those in power will act before irreversible damage is done.

Cover image:

Surfers against sewage at Broad Haven in May 2024 (Image: Martin Cavaney)

A VIRAL social media post accusing a man of stealing £4,000 from a veterans’ charity has been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by a senior member of the organisation.

The post, shared over 2,100 times on Facebook, was made by campaigner Eddy Cooper and alleges that Darren Edmundson – also known as Pembrokeshire Patriot – took money raised for PTSD Camp Bath while entrusted with access to the charity’s accounts.

However, when contacted by The Herald, a man who identified himself as the second in command at PTSD Camp Bath — and asked not to be named — strongly criticised the post and distanced the charity from its claims.

He told The Herald: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition and if he is going down to Pembrokeshire to find [Darren], then he is doing that on his own.”

“It was very irresponsible of Eddy Cooper to have shared that post on Facebook. I am not on there myself so I have not seen anything.”

He added that he remains in contact with Darren Edmundson, who has reportedly lost his phone but is communicating via email. “We understand that he is down in Pembrokeshire as he has ‘welfare business’ there and we expect him to return.”

On the key allegation of financial misconduct, he said: “Darren has no access to money which is ringfenced, and as of yet the accusation is unsubstantiated, as we have not seen the account to see that any money is missing.”

The man also disputed one of the more serious claims in the post — that Mr Edmundson had “ripped off” a 73-year-old former Royal Marine staying at the camp.

“That accusation is false,” he said. “Because that is me. I shall be having a word with Eddy Cooper.”

“If we see money is missing then it becomes a police matter”

He confirmed that the organisation is aware of the concerns raised and said a formal statement will be issued shortly.

The Herald spoke to Jo Drayson who runs the camp with her husband Dion. Mrs Drayson confirmed that she had been in contact with the police, and that she was advised it could be a civil matter.

This is because Darren is generally legally authorised to make payments from the charity’s account as the account holder.

She said that she had not yet contacted her bank, SumUp, to find out if the money had been spent but was intending to contact them shortly.

She said she thought it may be difficult to access the account because she was told Darren had allegedly changed the passwords and taken her off as a signatory.

The Herald has approached Avon and Somerset Police for comment.

A 62-YEAR-OLD man has died following a medical emergency in Saundersfoot on Wednesday (Apr 16).

Emergency services were called to The Strand at around 3:20pm, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The man’s family have been informed and the matter has been referred to the Coroner.