Pressure put on Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru following the recent leak from Tenby’s main sewage pipe which almost led to a pollution disaster for the seaside town’s beaches over the summer holidays, has seen the company’s Managing Director of Wastewater admit that the pipe needs replacing as soon as possible, stating that “Tenby should be seen as a special case.”

Members of Tenby Town Council and representatives from Tenby Chamber of Trade, Tenby Sea Swimming Association and Plastic Free Tenby met with Dŵr Cymru officials last week following the incident at the Wastewater Treatment Works at Gumfreston that occurred on July 1, that led to Natural Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council issung a pollution alert and declaring an ‘abnormal situation’ - with a sewage threat to Tenby’s South, Castle, North and Penally beaches.

Responding to correspondence demanding that work to replace the town’s leaky main sewage pipe, Dŵr Cymru’s Managing Director for Wastewater, Steve Wilson told the meeting: “We are really sorry that this burst occurred. Now that we've had this recent second burst in the last couple of years, we have decided it's a risk we don't want to keep having to take. Tenby should be seen as a special case.” 

Dŵr Cymru informed the meeting that a new rising main for Tenby had been included in its proposed work programme for 2025-30, but according to discussions between councillors and Dŵr Cymru representatives, unfortunately plans were initially rejected by financial regulator Ofwat - a claim that Ofwat has since refuted.

Mr Wilson went on to say that on August 15, Welsh Government ministers will examine Ofwat’s decision, and Dŵr Cymru will make a special case for replacing Tenby’s rising main.

Pembrokeshire County council installed signage to alert members of the public of the possible pollution impact at Tenby South Beach, Castle Beach, Tenby North Beach and Penally Beach.
Pembrokeshire County council installed signage to alert members of the public of possible pollution at Tenby's South, North beaches and Penally beach. (Observer pic)

The final decision will be made following scrutiny of Ofwat’s judgement by the Welsh Government and a further meeting in December.

In the meantime, with a threat that there could be more bursts, Dŵr Cymru is putting extra monitors on the pipeline to ensure that anomalies are dealt with as soon as they are detected.

Ofwat made its judgement based on the cost of the work (£3.7m) rather than the benefits to the environment and the national importance of Tenby as a major tourist destination with clean beaches and safe seas.  

Following the meeting, the leader of the Tenby Clean Seas Working group, and town councillor Duncan Whitehurst, said: “Ofwat have simply got this one wrong. We will be putting pressure on them to reverse their decision.”

An Ofwat spokesperson said: Dŵr Cymru have requested additional funding for the replacement of rising mains in Tenby.

“We have provisionally determined that the company has already been funded to make this repair and can begin work now if they choose to.

“Our decision is open for consultation and the company has the opportunity to submit further evidence before we make a final determination later this year."