Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate, has obtained data from the Environment Agency that show levels of sewage in the Burry Inlet from Pembrey that are once again in breach of European standards. Readings for sewage bacteria (Feacal Coliforms and Feacal Streptococci) in the inlet rose from 10 parts per 100 ml. on July 1st and 32 on the 9th July to 400 on the 17th July and 420 on the 23rd July. During July, sewage bacteria thus increased by more than three thousand percent (3000%). This follows heavy rain on the night of the 15/16th during which the Ashburnham sewage pump discharged untreated sewage for 12 hours. As heavy rain also fell on the night of July the 28/29th, it is expected that levels of sewage bacteria will continue to be very high during the next week.
While these reading are classified as ‘good’ by the UK and EU standards, the Environment Agency’s own figures show they are many times worse than the vast majority of beaches in Wales tested by the Agency. In addition UK/EU standards of ‘good’ water quality have been criticised for causing a number of health risks. Conditions proven to be associated with sewage pollution in bathing water within acceptable (‘good’) UK/EU levels are problems of the digestive tract and skin diseases. The EU has much higher bathing water standards than these where sea life is in danger of being poisoned by algae growing on sewage particles (eutrification). Since 2002, parts of the Burry Inlet have been classified as being at risk in this way.
Following an intervention by Dr. Davies on 30th June, Plaid MEP, Jill Evans met with representatives of the European Commission to inform them of recent levels of sewage pollution and continuing cockle deaths in the Inlet. As a result of this meeting, infringement proceedings, leading to a possible £1 million per day fine on the UK Government, have been started. Ms. Evans will be informing the European Commission of the recent surge in pollution.
Dr. Davies said:“The Environment Agency allows Dŵr Cymru to release raw sewage into the inlet in circumstances where sewage would otherwise flow back towards people’s homes. Of course discharging sewage is better than allowing it to flood people’s homes, but it is shocking that Dŵr Cymru continues to put people in Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port in this position.”
“Following a report form the UK Government on the need to separate sewage and storm water, it is likely that Welsh law will make the separation of sewage and storm water compulsory. In the light of this, Dŵr Cymru has publicly committed itself to separate sewage and storm water by replacing old and deficient pipes such as those that have served Llanelli, Burry Port and Pembrey for decades. The company has also indicated its intention to build a new water treatment works, but what we need to see is a timetable for replacing the pipes and building the sewage works. We pay high water rates in Llanelli and it is right that we expect Dŵr Cymru to respect its obligation to us to keep us and our homes safe and to preserve the cockle industry.”
Cllr Robin Burn from Pembrey said: “People in Pembrey and all along the inlet should not have to accept that their bathing water is polluted time and again because the sewage processing plant at Bynea is inadequate. UK Standards for bathing water are low and pose risks to people’s health. Added to that, the estuary is a particularly sensitive area and we are in danger of losing the cockle industry. Dŵr Cymru must commit to building the new water treatment works.”
Cllr Malcolm Davies of Pembrey added:
“People in Pembrey are worried that once again Cefn Sidan next year will not be awarded a blue flag. This is in marked contrast to the increase in Welsh beaches that reach this level and there are fears that it will have an effect on people’s confidence in the safety of the water and their willingness to visit Pembrey. It is very frustrating that the Environment agency, which is the body that awards Blue Flags is also the body that allows this pollution to happen when there is a storm”.
Notes to Editor:
Welsh Water/ Dŵr Cymru response to the DEFRA paper calling for a halt to releasing surface water through the sewage system can be found at: http://www.dwrcymru.co.uk/English/library/publications/surface%20water%20management%20strategy/english.pdf
For complications associated with sewage pollution within acceptable EU/UK levels see for example: Prieto, MD et al. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001;55:442-447. http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/6/442
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