Welsh Government drag their feet on much needed report
As part of The Welsh Government’s action plan for ‘Environment Regulation of Overflows” which covers the ongoing and forthcoming work to improve the current regulatory approaches, a report was due to be published on storm overflows by March 2023, this has yet to be published.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said:
Sewage discharges
“A quarter of all sewage discharges in England and Wales took place in Wales last year. More than 600,000 hours of dumping into our waterways is unacceptable and the Labour Government need to take immediate action.
“It has also been revealed that six of the worst polluted rivers are in Wales. You would think the Welsh Government would publish this report as a priority, yet here we are a month past the deadline with no sign of it.”
Wastewater Management Plans
In July 2021, the Labour Minister for Climate Change said: “Officials are working with Wales’ water companies to develop Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) and ensure a multi-sector catchment approach is taken to reduce discharges. The plans will enable the water companies to invest strategically for a wastewater and treatment network that is resilient and affordable in the long and short term. It will provide an opportunity for water companies and stakeholders to integrate their investment and development plans.”
Janet Finch-Saunders added:
“It has been nearly two years since this action plan was announced by the Welsh Government and the sewage dumping, due to storm overflows, is worse now than it ever has been. Once again Welsh Labour’s inaction is disrupting the lives of people in Wales.”
