Written question WQ93609
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority about improving the water quality in its water sources?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Welsh Government is taking an integrated catchment approach to improving water quality across Wales including Pembrokeshire. We have on-going strong engagement with local government, regulators, and all relevant sectors in Wales working together.
I am delighted that all 14 designated bathing waters in Preseli Pembrokeshire alone received an ‘excellent’ classification in 2023 from Natural Resources Wales. I plan to continue the close engagement that Welsh Ministers have established with the National Parks Authorities, including six-monthly oversight meetings with all Park Authorities during the year.
To support our ambitions for improving water quality, we have committed to provide more than £40 million of additional funding between 2022-23 and 2024-25 to address water quality challenges across Wales. This includes £1.5 million of funding for Nutrient Management Boards, which were established to address Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river catchments. Welsh Government have provided both funding and steers to the West Wales NMBs and I look forward to them producing deliverable, actionable Nutrient Management Plan for the West Wales SAC rivers by the end of this financial year.