Magor and Pontypool fouled by water company
Welsh Water, the not-for-profit utility, allowed sewage to leak into a sensitive area on the Gwent Levels at Magor and at a brook in Herbert's Wood, north of Pontypool. The brook is a tributary of the Afon Lwydd, a river that flows through major population centres before entering the Severn Estuary.
Newport magistrates heard that Welsh Water allowed a broken sewer line to discharge raw sewage into a reen and salt marsh near Magor, over a whole year. Natural Resources Wales had to take enforcement action at the sensitive site, the court heard.
Welsh Water had repeatedly failed to repair essential plant and effectively manage the site. The offences occurred between January 2023 and January 2024, the court was instructed.
The Magor area contains a delicate salt marsh environment and has several areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Furthermore, the wider area has a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA).
Welsh Water was fined £90,000 for the Gwent levels incidents and £160,000 for the Pontnewynydd incident, which was caused by a spillage from a foul sewer chamber in February 2023. They were also ordered to pay more than £18,000 in costs.
Welsh Water had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.
Of the damage in Pontnewynydd, Natural Resources Wales said sewage was visible over ground and throughout approximately 400m of the tributary.
Speaking of the Magor incidents, they said: 'For over a year, our officers recorded a pattern of recurring sewage pollution incidents in the same area, impacting a highly protected habitat which is rich in plants and wildlife, including a saltmarsh.
'Time and again we were assured that necessary repairs had been made, yet the pollution persisted.
'As well as causing considerable harm to the local environment, we found Welsh Water's response to the incidents to be inadequate. Communication was at times poor, and there were unnecessary delays to their incident response procedures such as pumping and tankering away the pollution, which could have lessened impact."
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