Welsh Water has confessed to the illicit release of untreated sewage at a multitude of treatment plants for multiple years. The self-incriminating disclosure was triggered when the water company was confronted with an interpretation of its own data extracted by the esteemed mathematician and former professor at University College London, Peter Hammond.
One of their most egregiously errant plants nestles in the vicinity of Cardigan in the heart of Wales. For over ten long years, this treatment plant has been releasing untreated sewage into a biologically safeguarded area, alarmingly close to an endangered dolphin habitat. Welsh Water assures it is actively strategizing to rectify the persistent issues.
Amidst heavy precipitation, it is permissible to discharge untreated sewage to avert overwhelming the plants. However, the premature release of sewage prior to the plant reaching its designated overflow limit constitutes an illegal breach. Consequently, Welsh Water has recognized compromising the permits of up to 50 wastewater treatment plants in efforts of saving customer bills.
The data showcased the particularly dire instance of the treatment plant situated in Cardigan, which was found to be discharging for more than 200 days per annum from 2019-2022. This plant had been monetarily penalized for inadequately treating sewage numerous times. Despite the concerningly high frequency of these discharges, the issue remains dismissed as a low-priority task due to the alleged ‘insignificant’ environmental repercussions of the Cardigan estuary spills by Welsh Water.
Despite the continually ‘excellent’ rated water quality at Poppit Sands, located two miles from the Cardigan treatment plant, environmental campaigners argue this is an inadequate representation of the entire ecosystem. Testing is conducted only from May to September, leaving the River Teifi devoid of regular monitoring. This river, classified as a Special Area of Conservation, is a haven for diverse species including lamprey, Atlantic salmon, otters, and one of Europe’s largest pod of bottlenose dolphins.
Regulations are in place, yet there is a marked deficit in enforcement. Natural Resources Wales has been cognizant of the Cardigan issue for the past eight years, issuing enforcement notices but refraining from imposing fines. As the company is not under ‘formal investigation,’ this sparks a conversation around regulatory enforcement, especially considering the lack of successful prosecution in the past five years.
Meanwhile, Welsh Water expresses its regret, promising attempts at remediation. It appears the saltwater invasion of the system during Spring tides has been the primary challenge; it instigates a biological reaction within the bacteria that obstruct the filtration membranes, hence causing the system to falter. Looking forward, a £20 million plan for constructing a novel treatment plant is slated to begin in 2025.
The daunting narrative concerning Cardigan underscores the urgency of enhanced regulations, active enforcement and company accountability, raising serious questions for the water company and the regulator. Regardless of the numerous enforcement notices, the absence of fines or prosecutions is concerning and indicates the necessity for a consistent, standardized approach towards these environmental issues. As acknowledged by the Natural Resources Wales, it’s time to amp up the prosecution mechanism for dealing with such gross violations.
England too is reportedly stepping up its scrutiny concerning the flow rates and potential illegal discharges at treatment plants, in what is being described as their most substantial criminal inquiry ever conducted into these practices.
