REPORTS that serious pollution outfalls are causing widespread ecological damage along stretches of the Western Cleddau have prompted major investigations by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The announcement was made this week by NRW operations manager, Caroline Drayton.

“We’re aware of multiple concerns concerning pollution incidents and following reports to our incident line, officers have attended the site to investigate,” she commented.

“Our investigations are ongoing and we are checking with nearby permit holders to determine whether they are operating within their permit conditions.”

Ms Drayton went on to say that if any irregularities are found, further action will be taken against the individuals or contractors responsible.

“We take our role as an environmental regulator seriously, and wherever any non-compliance is found, we will take further action to ensure permits are complied with effectively,” she said.

“We are committed to improving the condition of all our rivers and we use all evidence to improve our understanding of the issues facing them including information provided by members of the public.

“We’ve made great strides in recent years working with others to tackle the issues that impact on the river environment, and we will continue to work together with farmers, agricultural bodies, anglers, regulators, water companies, conservationists, and Welsh Government to build on the progress made.”

Ms Drayton’s comments were made following local media reports identifying two alleged pollution outfall pipes that enter the river at The Fortune’s Frolic just off Clay Lane in Haverfordwedst.

One discharges sewage while the other discharges effluent waste from the First Milk creamery treatment plant in Merlin’s Bridge.

The banks around the pipes are covered by a reddish-brown sediment which, when touched, appears to have a dense, mousse-like texture.

Stones which were once smooth and clear are now covered in a brown, slimy blanket weed which feeds off the alleged high level of phosphates that are in the water.

As a result, this kills all the natural plants that the fish feed on.

Also affected are insects, fish eggs that are unable to hatch as they don’t have enough oxygen to survive, mammals, and birds.

“The Cleddau River has turned into the Cleddau Sewer,” said concerned resident and long-time campaigner Simon Walters.

“The river has become toxic and the wildlife that we once had as a barometer is showing us the damage of what’s been happening for far too long. The river is dead.

“A few years ago, we used to dig here for ragworm for bait, but it’s now disappeared, and the only fish we see are mullet. Everything else has virtually gone.

“As a result of what’s coming out of those pipes, we’re destroying the whole ecosystem here on the Cleddau, which is a SSSI.”

Welsh Water has also been asked to comment on the latest pollution concerns.

In the House of Commons back in April, Preseli Pembrokeshire MP accused Labour of using the issue of sewage as a “political football” and called on the Welsh Government to act on the alarming levels of sewage discharges in Wales.

During the debate numerous MPs referred to the fact that Wales is one of the worst affected areas in the UK, with the Welsh Government yet to come forward with any detailed plans to tackle the problem of discharges into rivers and coastal waters.

In his speech, the MP voiced his support for stronger regulation of water companies and tougher penalties over pollution incidents. He welcomed the “very clear and practical plan” introduced by the UK Government in England as a step forward on tackling sewage.

Mr Crabb stated, “This is an issue that really matters to me and it matters to my constituents in Pembrokeshire. My constituency in 2021 had 79,000 hours of sewage discharged during the course of the year. It is totally unacceptable.”

During his speech Mr Crabb also paid tribute to local campaigners including Surfers Against Sewage who have been campaigning on this issue in the constituency for nearly 30 years.

Speaking after the debate Stephen Crabb MP told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “In England there is now a plan for reducing discharges and for tougher monitoring and regulation of the water companies. That is the kind of action we need in Wales. It is clear that public opinion has shifted on the issue of sewage and there is a clamour for real change. This historic practice of discharging sewage into waters is no longer acceptable and requires all governments across the UK to step up and work together. Wales’ sewerage system is old and under enormous pressure from increased rainfall: it needs to be made fit for purpose. Unfortunately, I am not convinced that there is an urgent plan to make crucial infrastructure upgrades and that the Welsh Labour Government has woken up to public feeling on this unpleasant issue.”

As Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee in Parliament, Stephen brought together Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales and the regulator Ofwat to examine the problem of sewage in Wales.

The evidence hearing highlighted the need for a clear plan in Wales to reduce the volumes of sewage being pumped into open waters. He has written again to call on the Climate Change Minister at the Welsh Government to address these problems and do more to protect Welsh rivers and coasts. He is currently waiting for a response from the Welsh Government.