Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have been left feeling reassured following a positive meeting with Dwr Cymru. Senior Management from Dwr Cymru met with both Helen Mary and Myfanwy to discuss the ongoing issues in Llanelli with regards to water quality and flooding.
During the meeting, Dwr Cymru gave their commitment that they will continue to do everything that they can to ensure that the issue will be resolved. Even though the water quality has improved, it is still unclear what is causing the mass cockle deaths which is affecting the livelihoods of many local fishermen and cockle pickers in the area.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy has been very concerned about the worrying possibility that cockle beds in the Burry Estuary may continue to die this year – a situation that would cause devastation to the local industry.
Plaid's Helen Mary Jones said:
“I was pleased after the meeting that the Senior Manager from Welsh Water were taking the issues with regards to water quality and flooding in Llanelli very seriously. It is disappointing that Ofwat’s interference means that some of the planned investment will now not be met, but I do have some confidence that working together with the other appropriate agencies, Dwr Cymru will make what progress they can on these issues. They have committed to keeping myself and Myfanwy informed on progress, and we will certainly be keeping a very close eye on developments as they move forward.”
Myfanwy added:
"I’m very pleased that Senior Managers from Welsh Water were able to come and have a wide ranging discussion with us. We touched on a number of issues to do with the Estuary and also flooding within the area. I’m particularly pleased that they were able to make an unequivocal commitment that they would do what had to be done to ensure that Dwr Cymru is not contributing to the cockle deaths. I think that this is an important commitment for cockle fishermen in Llanelli and for other people who are reliant on the industry.”
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Myfanwy Davies calls for action on waste water to create green jobs and cost savings for families
Dr. Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s parliamentary candidate for Llanelli, has called for action to combat pollution in the Burry Inlet and has outlined possibilities for creating green jobs and cuts in water bills for families. Last week Myfanwy released figures showing a peak of sewage pollution following the decision by Welsh Water and the Environment Agency to release untreated sewage into the Burry Inlet over 20 hours after a period of heavy rainfall. The Environment Agency has claimed that the loss of the Blue Flag at Pembrey was associated with water draining from fields and streams throughout the wet summer of 2008. However, the Agency’s own data shows good water quality throughout the summer suggesting that the exceptional release of sewage in September was to blame.
Myfanwy has revealed the true connection between flooding and sewage pollution in our estuary. Despite the assertions of the Environment Agency that the discharge of surface water through the sewage system is normal practice, this practice has been identified as a major threat to seaside communities. In its response to the UK Government’s water strategy ‘Future Water’, Welsh Water commits itself to phasing out this dangerous and irresponsible practice that appears to have cost Cefn Sidan its Blue Flag.
Due to longstanding concerns with water quality in the Burry Inlet, independent research on water quality in the Burry Inlet is currently being undertaken by Bangor University in order to verify the Environment Agency’s own figures. Myfanwy is calling on her colleague, Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM to request that Jane Davidson, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, presses for new sewage works to be built west of Llanelli should these independent results show a significant increase in pollution.
Myfanwy has also noted that a new water treatment works, while welcome, will not address the problem of surface water drainage as so many developments change drainage patterns without offering alternative solutions. She has suggested that new homes need to conform to the highest legal standards in terms of allowing surface water to drain into artificial lakes or ponds and providing reed-beds for natural filtration. New government guidelines also require that new housing developments allow the re-use of ‘grey water’, such as that used in washing machines, in the sewage system. These developments will considerably cut water bills for families and have the potential to create green jobs in terms of building ponds, lakes and developing and maintaining reed-beds.
Speaking from her office in Llanelli yesterday, Myfanwy said:
”Like most people from the west of Llanelli, I view the Environment Agency’s assurances on water quality with a healthy dose of scepticism. Nonetheless, I am ready to wait for the independent report before judging the current state of our estuary. If the independent shows an increase in sewage pollution, then of course we will need a new water treatment plant in Burry Port. If that is the case, my colleague Helen Mary will do all she can to make sure that a waste water treatment plant will be built. I welcome the change in building regulations that mean that rain water can no longer be discharged through the sewage system creating a pollution catastrophe such as that which cost us the Blue Flag.
Some short-sighted people will always portray a concern with the environment as being something that will cost jobs. That is just not the case. Housing developments along the Burry Inlet are already being strongly encouraged to provide additional drainage by UK government guidelines. If building regulations were devolved to the Assembly, we could do so much more to protect the estuary and cut water bills for families. We have the potential here to develop green jobs in building a water treatment works, in terms of digging ponds and lakes and developing reed beds. All these developments will add to our environment and will help ensure that it is clean for years to come.
Welsh Water’s 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
Myfanwy has revealed the true connection between flooding and sewage pollution in our estuary. Despite the assertions of the Environment Agency that the discharge of surface water through the sewage system is normal practice, this practice has been identified as a major threat to seaside communities. In its response to the UK Government’s water strategy ‘Future Water’, Welsh Water commits itself to phasing out this dangerous and irresponsible practice that appears to have cost Cefn Sidan its Blue Flag.
Due to longstanding concerns with water quality in the Burry Inlet, independent research on water quality in the Burry Inlet is currently being undertaken by Bangor University in order to verify the Environment Agency’s own figures. Myfanwy is calling on her colleague, Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM to request that Jane Davidson, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, presses for new sewage works to be built west of Llanelli should these independent results show a significant increase in pollution.
Myfanwy has also noted that a new water treatment works, while welcome, will not address the problem of surface water drainage as so many developments change drainage patterns without offering alternative solutions. She has suggested that new homes need to conform to the highest legal standards in terms of allowing surface water to drain into artificial lakes or ponds and providing reed-beds for natural filtration. New government guidelines also require that new housing developments allow the re-use of ‘grey water’, such as that used in washing machines, in the sewage system. These developments will considerably cut water bills for families and have the potential to create green jobs in terms of building ponds, lakes and developing and maintaining reed-beds.
Speaking from her office in Llanelli yesterday, Myfanwy said:
”Like most people from the west of Llanelli, I view the Environment Agency’s assurances on water quality with a healthy dose of scepticism. Nonetheless, I am ready to wait for the independent report before judging the current state of our estuary. If the independent shows an increase in sewage pollution, then of course we will need a new water treatment plant in Burry Port. If that is the case, my colleague Helen Mary will do all she can to make sure that a waste water treatment plant will be built. I welcome the change in building regulations that mean that rain water can no longer be discharged through the sewage system creating a pollution catastrophe such as that which cost us the Blue Flag.
Some short-sighted people will always portray a concern with the environment as being something that will cost jobs. That is just not the case. Housing developments along the Burry Inlet are already being strongly encouraged to provide additional drainage by UK government guidelines. If building regulations were devolved to the Assembly, we could do so much more to protect the estuary and cut water bills for families. We have the potential here to develop green jobs in building a water treatment works, in terms of digging ponds and lakes and developing reed beds. All these developments will add to our environment and will help ensure that it is clean for years to come.
Welsh Water’s 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
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Plaid Candidate calls for ministerial meeting on Water Quality in the Burry Inlet
Responding to the very disappointing news that the Blue Flag award has been withdrawn from Cefn Sidan beach, Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, has called for action through the Assembly to improve water quality.
Myfanwy has obtained official figures for the water quality in the Burry Inlet released by the environment agency showing a huge peak in pollution in late September. The total number of sewage bacteria in 100 ml of water jumped from around 200 to over 22,000, an increase of 11,000%. The dates of the pollution surge coincide with the release of raw sewage from Burry Port pumps over a 20hr period during exceptionally heavy rain in mid September. The duration of the sewage leak was confirmed by Dr Kiel, a representative of Welsh Water at a meeting of Burry Port Town Council on November 18th last year. Given the capacity of the existing pumps, hundreds of tonnes of sewage would have been released at that time. In addition, during early November, Dr Keil confirmed that sewage was pumped directly into the estuary for a record 36 hours.
Councillors in Burry Port and Pembrey had been voicing concerns about water quality prior to losing the Blue Flag. Losing the award has increased local uneasiness about water treatment and the impact that large-scale housing developments will have on inadequate and over-used water treatment works.
Myfanwy is calling on the Assembly Government to ensure that the water is made safe again and has asked for a series of ministerial meetings to discuss this pressing issue. Helen Mary Jones has arranged to meet the Minister for the Environment on 11th of February where she will bring forward these concerns. Dŵr Cymru, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Commission Wales have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to improve water quality. The meeting will focus on how this agreement can be used to ensure that Dŵr Cymru develop adequate water treatment works along the Burry Inlet.
Myfanwy's call comes a week after she arranged a meeting in Llanelli to discuss the state of the estuary with Jill Evans, Plaid's MEP.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“The situation whereby there was an increase of 11,000% in sewage bacteria in the estuary last September is completely unacceptable. I am delighted that Helen Mary Jones will meet with the minister on February 11th to discuss how to deal with the problem as a matter of real urgency.
The sewage systems inherited by Welsh Water were already old but there is no excuse for failing to invest in new works. Facts point to the inadequate sewage works on this side of the inlet as the source of the pollution surge. But if further facts point to problems elsewhere, those works will need to be replaced as part of the same project. Building new water treatment works would be a very large project and couldn’t come at a better time for the construction industry locally. We cannot allow a disaster like the sewage surge of last September to happen again”
Cllr Malcolm Davies said:
“I am pleased that Myfanwy has taken this issue on and is drawing on all the available evidence in the public realm to show how dangerous the situation has become. For far too long, hollow reassurances have been given about the state of the estuary. This is not about pinning blame on any particular agency, but it is time for all of them to work together to stop another environmental catastrophe like the one that cost us the Blue Flag”.
Cllr Robin Burn said:
“The pace of new residential developments in Burry Port worries me. I will work with my colleagues on the Council to make sure that inappropriate developments are halted while water quality is improved. I am not in favour of a complete ban on housing, as we need to continue building affordable homes for local people, but we cannot continue to build recklessly with no consideration for the environmental cost.”
The pollution figures can be found at this address:
http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/queryController?topic=coastalwaters&ep=2ndtierquery&lang=_e&layerGroups=1&x=240000.0&y=199800.0&extraClause=SAMPLING_POINT~'37700'&extraClause=SAMPLE_YEAR~2008&textonly=off&latestValue=&latestField=
Myfanwy has obtained official figures for the water quality in the Burry Inlet released by the environment agency showing a huge peak in pollution in late September. The total number of sewage bacteria in 100 ml of water jumped from around 200 to over 22,000, an increase of 11,000%. The dates of the pollution surge coincide with the release of raw sewage from Burry Port pumps over a 20hr period during exceptionally heavy rain in mid September. The duration of the sewage leak was confirmed by Dr Kiel, a representative of Welsh Water at a meeting of Burry Port Town Council on November 18th last year. Given the capacity of the existing pumps, hundreds of tonnes of sewage would have been released at that time. In addition, during early November, Dr Keil confirmed that sewage was pumped directly into the estuary for a record 36 hours.
Councillors in Burry Port and Pembrey had been voicing concerns about water quality prior to losing the Blue Flag. Losing the award has increased local uneasiness about water treatment and the impact that large-scale housing developments will have on inadequate and over-used water treatment works.
Myfanwy is calling on the Assembly Government to ensure that the water is made safe again and has asked for a series of ministerial meetings to discuss this pressing issue. Helen Mary Jones has arranged to meet the Minister for the Environment on 11th of February where she will bring forward these concerns. Dŵr Cymru, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Commission Wales have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to improve water quality. The meeting will focus on how this agreement can be used to ensure that Dŵr Cymru develop adequate water treatment works along the Burry Inlet.
Myfanwy's call comes a week after she arranged a meeting in Llanelli to discuss the state of the estuary with Jill Evans, Plaid's MEP.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“The situation whereby there was an increase of 11,000% in sewage bacteria in the estuary last September is completely unacceptable. I am delighted that Helen Mary Jones will meet with the minister on February 11th to discuss how to deal with the problem as a matter of real urgency.
The sewage systems inherited by Welsh Water were already old but there is no excuse for failing to invest in new works. Facts point to the inadequate sewage works on this side of the inlet as the source of the pollution surge. But if further facts point to problems elsewhere, those works will need to be replaced as part of the same project. Building new water treatment works would be a very large project and couldn’t come at a better time for the construction industry locally. We cannot allow a disaster like the sewage surge of last September to happen again”
Cllr Malcolm Davies said:
“I am pleased that Myfanwy has taken this issue on and is drawing on all the available evidence in the public realm to show how dangerous the situation has become. For far too long, hollow reassurances have been given about the state of the estuary. This is not about pinning blame on any particular agency, but it is time for all of them to work together to stop another environmental catastrophe like the one that cost us the Blue Flag”.
Cllr Robin Burn said:
“The pace of new residential developments in Burry Port worries me. I will work with my colleagues on the Council to make sure that inappropriate developments are halted while water quality is improved. I am not in favour of a complete ban on housing, as we need to continue building affordable homes for local people, but we cannot continue to build recklessly with no consideration for the environmental cost.”
The pollution figures can be found at this address:
http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/queryController?topic=coastalwaters&ep=2ndtierquery&lang=_e&layerGroups=1&x=240000.0&y=199800.0&extraClause=SAMPLING_POINT~'37700'&extraClause=SAMPLE_YEAR~2008&textonly=off&latestValue=&latestField=
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