Chris Elmore MP and Huw Irranca-Davies MS have demanded an urgent meeting with Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water following reports of scandalously high sewerage discharges into the Garw and Ogwr Fach rivers and parts of the Llynfi, Ewenny and Ogmore rivers.

One waste pipe alone near Pontyrhyl operated by Welsh Water is reported to have dumped overflowing sewage for the equivalent of 325 days into the river Ogmore in Pontyrhyl during 2022. The overall number of reported sewerage dumps across these local rivers last year go well into the thousands. Across many rivers in the UK the picture was equally grim.

Chris Elmore states “This is not a new phenomenon but it has worsened significantly in recent years. The old Victorian combined water and sewerage systems are totally inadequate. We need major and urgent new investment in waste-water drainage from Dŵr Cymru to minimise discharges into our rivers and watercourses.”

Huw Irranca-Davies says “Despite some welcome investment from Welsh Water in the last few years on new pipelines in places like the Ogmore valley, this is simply not enough. Sewage discharges on the scale reported could carry health risks for people who enjoy fishing, canoeing or swimming in our local rivers and coastal areas. Poor water quality can also harm the natural ecology and biodiversity in these fantastic rivers.”

Huw Irranca-Davies MS and Chris Elmore MP will report back to constituents on the outcome of their discussions, including urgent action from Dwr Cymru to clean up our local rivers.

A copy of the letter to Welsh Water can be found below: