Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has highlighted a further decline in Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water performance outlined in an annual review, issuing a stark warning to the company that it needs to turn the tables on its downward performance trends.

NRW has published its 2023 performance reports for the two water companies operating in Wales, Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy.

It highlights the worst performance from Dŵr Cymru against the metrics measured against, which are standardised in England and Wales.

As well as the water company being responsible for a total of 107 sewage pollution incidents during 2023; the number of serious pollution incidents rose from five to seven, including a major incident involving a burst sewer pipe on the River Taff at Pontypridd in March last year.

The report also flags concerns about a small but significant decline in water discharge permit compliance, dropping to 98%.

Improvements were made to the number of pollution incidents self-reported to NRW, rising to 70% during 2023, but still falling short of the minimum 80% target.

Water companies are expected to self-report incidents to NRW before others do. Without a rapid response, the impact of pollution can escalate and the opportunity for mitigation measures can be lost.

While Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water will stay at two-star (company requires improvement) rating this year, NRW has issued a stark warning to the company that it needs to turn the tables on its downward performance trends.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of NRW said: “Despite increased pressure from ourselves as regulators, and from politicians and the public, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have failed to make the kind of improvements we want and expect to see.

“It is unacceptable that we are now seeing a year-on-year increase in significant pollution incidents, at a time where so much is being invested in improving our rivers and water quality for nature and people.

“In response, we continue to use all the enforcement tools available to us to drive improvements. We are pursuing several formal investigations, including potential prosecutions relating to incidents and issues of permit compliance. While these processes can take time, we are absolutely committed to seeing them through.”

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water provide drinking water and wastewater sewerage to the majority of Wales, but Hafren Dyfrdwy, part of the Severn Trent group, provide wastewater services to some border counties in north and mid Wales.

Due to its small operating area, Hafren Dyfrdwy does not receive a star rating from NRW, however similar measures are used to assess the company’s performance.

For 2023, Hafren Dyfrdwy saw an increase in descriptive condition permit non-compliances (aspects such as maintenance, management and reporting) compared to 2022.

The company was responsible for one low-level sewerage incident, but no serious pollution incidents.

Clare Pillman added: “While there are always improvements to make, we are pleased to report that Hafren Dyfrdwy’s performance has improved from last year.

“We would like to see the company to build on this accomplishment and continue to drive further improvements during the 2024 reporting period.”

NRW and the Environment Agency are reviewing the methodology for the annual reporting of water company performance for use on 2026-2030 data.

The review will include strengthening and broadening the current Environmental Performance Assessment to ensure it results in the most beneficial change for the environment.

A consultation with water companies and other relevant stakeholders will be held over the summer.

Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water has been accused of ‘pulling the wool’ over the eyes of Tenby councillors, as pressure continues to be put on Pembrokeshire County Council to come down on the water company following a sewage spill earlier this month, that threatened Tenby’s tourism season heading into another busy summer.

After a burst pipe at the seaside town’s pumping station which had previously been identified as dodgy, wasn’t dealt with effectively, Natural Resources Wales issued a pollution warning for all of the coastal resort’s beaches.

Despite Welsh Water issuing an apology for the matter, stating that he pipe was ‘quickly isolated’ to prevent any further pollution, local councillors are still calling on the Local Authority to act.

“Following the recent sewage spill in the Tenby area, and the announcement by the company that they will not be replacing a faulty pipe for another two years, I strongly urge the authority to investigate the prosecution of Dŵr Cymru,” stated Cllr Michael Williams county councillor for Tenby north in correspondence sent to PCC’s chief executive Will Bramble and public protection manager Nathan Miles.

“It is completely unacceptable that we should have to suffer pollution at this level within days of restoring the Blue Flag status to our beaches.

“We are faced with a totally inept enforcement regime in NRW and it falls upon us locally to uphold at least some basic standards of water quality.

“It’s no longer good enough to stand on the sidelines wringing our hands and looking towards well meaning individuals to have yet another meeting.

“Our local tourist industry relies upon statutory bodies to provide the basic services, and this must include clean bathing waters, the reputational damage done is considerable.

“Not many years ago we took action to insist that a UV plant was installed in the Gumfreston pumping station, those of us involved in that campaign honestly believed at that time the company was intent on raising their standards. It appears that yet again the wool was pulled over or eyes.

“Our first duty should be to ensure the safety of the public. To deliver this there must be a prosecution undertaken of this failing company,” he added.

Members of Tenby Town Council stated that they were ‘horrified’ at the pollution caused by failures of the sewage infrastructure, with Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan writing to the Chief Executive of Dŵr Cymru outlining concerns and asking for urgent action to be taken, to replace the rising main pipe that keeps failing.

“Tenby Town Council will continue to press all agencies to fulfil their responsibilities and will soon be meeting with all parties,” stated the Mayor.

“In the meantime we are saying loud and clear that this pipe needs replacing quickly. Our wonderful clean seas, our Blue Flag beaches and our precious environment are too important to those who live here, those that visit and to the economy of not only Pembrokeshire but the whole of Wales.”

A Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water spokesperson responded: “We are disappointed with the assessment rating and acknowledge that our performance is not where we want it to be.

“Dŵr Cymru takes its environmental responsibility seriously, we apologise for any environmental harm we have caused and are working tirelessly to deliver the improvements required in challenging circumstances.

“Climate Change and severe weather events are having an increasing impact on our infrastructure and is challenging how we deliver our services.

“During 2023 there were 10 named storms that brought with them complex problems that we had to overcome.

“The difficult operating conditions meant that all water companies in England and Wales saw an increase in pollution incidents in 2023.”