NDM8279 Plaid Cymru Debate - Full devolution of water resources

NDM8279 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that:

a) Wales should have full control over its water resources, including the ability to regulate the transfer of water beyond its borders;

b) further devolution of powers over water would also enable Welsh Ministers to more effectively address the problem of sewage discharges into Wales's rivers and seas; and

c) the privatisation of water is a failed model that has led to soaring bills and a disastrous deterioration in the quality of Wales's water.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) formally request the enactment of section 48(1) of the Wales Act 2017, which would fully align the Senedd’s legislative competence over water with the geographic boundary of Wales; 

b) formally request further powers over the licensing of sewage undertakers in Wales; and

c) introduce legislation within the current Senedd term to place the drainage and wastewater management plans of water companies in Wales on a statutory footing.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that responsibility for pollution management is devolved to Wales. 

2. Regrets that in 2022, 25 per cent of recorded hours of sewage discharges in England and Wales were into Welsh waterways.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) update the action plan to address sewage discharges into Welsh rivers, lakes and seas;

b) publish the Welsh Government’s taskforce report on storm overflows; and

c) implement statutory targets for water companies to improve storm overflows.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Add as new sub-points at the end of point 2: 

use its powers to require all strategic water infrastructure investment affecting Wales, including any transfers, to benefit Wales's communities and natural environment.

work with partners to secure the future of Welsh water resources by addressing all major pressures on them, namely from wastewater, urban runoff, misconnections, diffuse rural pollution, physical modifications, abandoned mines and invasive species.

provide additional funding to Nutrient Management Boards to accelerate their work in safeguarding water resources.

provide additional funding for capital grants for farmers to make infrastructure improvements that protect water resources.

increase the use of citizen science data in expanding our understanding of the pressures on water resources.

develop whole catchment consenting and strategic improvement approaches to national water resource management.