Written question WQ92945
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 14 days
Question
What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with Dŵr Cymru and Vale of Glamorgan Council to confirm whether the incident on 18 May 2024, where people were ordered out of the water on the beach at Barry Island due to pollution in the water, was a false alarm or not?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
I am aware that on Saturday afternoon (18 May) Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water observed activity on the monitor at Barry's overflow. This warning prompted the relevant agencies to undertake due diligence measures, including the RNLI issuing a red flag on the beach and making announcements advising beach users not to enter the water. Following an investigation, Dŵr Cymru confirmed it was a false alarm caused by a monitor fault, which is possible. They are currently addressing the issue with the monitor and have apologised for any confusion. Vale of Glamorgan council have reassured the public that regular testing of the water at Barry Island takes place and there is currently no reason to consider the water at Whitmore Bay to be unsafe.