Written question WQ85293
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What powers does Welsh Government have to step-in and introduce phosphate-stripping mechanisms to Wales’s sewage treatment infrastructure in circumstances where Dŵr Cymru will not for 5 years?
Declared interest
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
I refer you to my response to your previous query (WQ85177): Dŵr Cymru are subject to regulatory controls via the statutory price review mechanism undertaken by the independent regulator Ofwat which agrees water company investment plans and the charges levied on water users to fund them. This involves trade-offs between the level of charges paid by households and businesses and priorities for investment by the water companies. As part of this process extensive engagement and research is undertaken with water company customers, regulators and stakeholders.
The causes of excessive Phosphates on our water environment are complex, with multiple sources. No single measure will resolve this, which is why we need to consider a package of sustainable catchment wide solutions to ensure a fair balance of costs across all sectors.
We are driving forward a cross-sectoral and holistic approach, through the work of the SAC Rivers Oversight Group, with representation from all the relevant sectors. Dŵr Cymru are members of this Group.