NDM8397 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Water quality

NDM8397 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) sewage spills into Welsh waters account for 25 per cent of all discharges across Wales and England;

b) six of the UK’s top 20 most polluted rivers across Wales and England are in Wales; and

c) people in Wales have the second highest water bills out of the 11 water companies in Wales and England.

2. Regrets that the Welsh Government’s Storm Overflow Report, published seven months late, contains no recommendations.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) impose legally-binding targets on Dŵr Cymru and Natural Resources Wales to improve overflows;

b) increase enforcement and ensure fines are used to improve rivers and restore habitats; and

c) tackle non-permitted sewage pipes and ensure they are up to standard.

Storm overflows in Wales: report

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.  Notes the significant increases in rivers achieving good ecological status in Wales since 1999.

2.  Notes the strict legal framework within which water companies and the regulators operate. 

3.  Opposes the UK Government's policy to remove the nutrient neutrality requirements which would place our fragile rivers at greater risk.

4.  Notes that the Welsh Government:

a) supports greater surface water separation to reduce pressure on wastewater systems by accelerating deployment of nature-based flood management and sustainable drainage systems.

b) will use its powers to ensure all water companies in Wales reduce pollution incidents year on year, aiming for zero, and stop all serious pollution incidents in the short term.

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

Amendment 2 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as new sub-points at end of point 3:

ensure that Natural Resources Wales is adequately resourced to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities effectively;

put mechanisms in place to withhold the awarding of executive bonuses in the event of Dŵr Cymru failing to uphold its responsibilities on water quality;

accelerate the implementation of robust environmental governance frameworks in Wales to ensure that future instances of infringements are addressed as swiftly as possible.