, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Now that you've found Dŵr Cymru to be 'lagging' in your recent water company performance report, how are you going to hold Dŵr Cymru to account for its missed performance measures? And will that current Dŵr Cymru performance be considered in evaluating its…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Exactly.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
I'm still not convinced that you've got the teeth, or you do have the power but you're not using that power. At the end of the day, the numbers just do not stack up. I was hoping today that you'd reassure me that, actually, you do have this criteria that's…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
'What comes out of the prosecutions?' is what I'm asking.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Let's be honest, companies only start to really take things seriously if they feel that they are going to be fined. What was the result of those prosecutions then?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Six prosecutions.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay, let's go back to the basics then. You've sent 340 warning letters and there's been just under 200 breaches, but only two fines. It doesn't stack up.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
But it takes me back to the question. There have been five serious incidents. But 340 warning letters to only have two fines tells me that the warning letters themselves may not be fit for purpose.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Let's face it, you are regulators. You also have enforcement powers. So, how do you respond to the fact that Dŵr Cymru has breached its permit conditions more than 200 times in the last six years, and they've only been fined twice? Why is that?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Thank you.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
We know from speaking to Dŵr Cymru earlier—they said there were less than 200 sites known to be operating in breach of their permits. What do you believe is the real action to address these?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Yes, just in terms of enforcement, though, there doesn't seem to be much to satisfy me that you're taking enforcement seriously on these.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Thank you, Chair. Good morning. You'll be aware from the headlines, and also from our feisty debate yesterday, that there's a lot of unrest now about the number of illegal Dŵr Cymru CSO operations. So, what is your view and how are you working to ensure that…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
I was talking of others as well.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
I acknowledge the fact that of all the sites that you've got, fewer than 200 were operating in breach of their permits. So, I guess my main question is: how many of those have actually been addressed, and what action—? There must be some that are still…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
Thank you, Chair, and good morning. You'll be aware of the headlines we've all seen recently, and you'll be aware of the feisty debate that was held in the Senedd yesterday. So, could you please provide a good response to reports that there has been a…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Water quality
When we see regular media coverage of water quality and receive concerns from constituents, ultimately, the aim is the same: for pollution to stop. I believe that Welsh Government is currently undermining that process. So, firstly, as I've said before many…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Water quality
There were over 83,000 spills in Wales in 2022, accounting for 592,569 hours of spillage. The number of sewage spills in Wales accounted for 25 per cent of all discharges across Wales and England, yet we only have around 5.5 per cent of the population. And…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Water quality
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. What better sign of our collective passion for our environment than the interest shown by this Senedd, its Members and, indeed, our country in water pollution? Currently, there is real public dissatisfaction with water quality in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
We're all wanting better water quality. However, though—and it's a result of this co-operation agreement—it's disappointing that a Member of the same party of our Government brings into question the actions of our farmers, who are facing a really tough time…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Help to Stay
Anyone worried about their mortgage repayments can call their lender for information and support without impact on their credit score. Customers won't be forced to have their homes repossessed within 12 months from their first missed payment, and customers…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Help to Stay
Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward this statement. I think it's fair to say that we're all well aware now of how tough it is for people, especially those with a mortgage and that regular commitment that they have to pay on a monthly basis. The Bank of…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I'll refer Members to my declaration of interest form in terms of property ownership. As Senedd Members are aware—although I'm not too convinced—our watercourses are split into two categories: main rivers and ordinary watercourses. We've raised previously…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
The 20 mph Speed Limit: Scrutiny session with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change
That has just confused me, so how do I cascade that down to—
