Written question WQ90741
- Asked by
- Delyth JewellPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Natural Resources Wales and other partners regarding the pollution causing the Afon Lwyd to become a rust colour as it flowed through the Charlesville area of Pontypool in Torfaen?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
We engage regularly with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) about a wide range of issues.
During the recent pollution incident of the Afon Lwyd near Pontypool, we received regular operational updates from NRW, as we do for all such pollution incidents.
Following initial reports of pollution on 12 January, NRW attended the site on 12 and 13 January and took water samples for analysis. It liaised with the Coal Authority, Torfaen Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
On 14 January, following analysis of the samples, NRW and the Coal Authority confirmed this was mine water pollution, from the Cwmsychan Brook Culvert, near Abersychan.
I am grateful to NRW, the Coal Authority, Torfaen Council, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and wider partners for their swift response and co-operation.