Fay Jones has applauded the UK Government for their “ambitious” new targets designed to improve water quality, although some opponents have labelled them "unacceptably weak".

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP was among a number of Conservative MPs to vote last week in favour of setting a target for water companies for an 80 per cent reduction of phosphates in rivers by 2038.

Phosphates are naturally occurring minerals found in human waste and can lead to a dramatic growth in algae and deplete oxygen levels when they are dumped in rivers.

Currently the use of sewage overflows by water companies is unacceptable, which is why the government has launched the plan to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows.

The new targets and expectations on water companies are designed to significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows.

Following on from the landmark Environment Act, the targets place strict obligations on water companies to reduce the amount of pollutants flowing into rivers.

This is on top of the government’s progress in monitoring water quality.

Since 2016, monitoring of sewage discharges has increased from just 6 per cent to just over 90 per cent in 2022. It is hoped this figure will reach 100 per cent by the end of this year.

Ms Jones said: “This government is the first in history to tackle the health of the country’s seas and rivers. There was a lot of misinformation concerning last week’s vote from the opposition parties. Had we voted in line with them there would be no limits on the amount pollution allowed in UK waterways.

“Instead, the targets we voted for last week will see enormous pressure brought on all parties to improve water quality across the UK. It is a great shame that Labour and the Liberal Democrats voted against putting these targets in place.

“In the Environment Act, we brought in a range of new laws designed to reduce use of storm overflows. This is absolutely imperative for the health of the Rivers Usk and Wye in my constituency. We urgently need to see the rules in the Environment Act replicated in Wales so that Welsh Water Dwr Cymru is subject to the same strict conditions as in England.”

In response the Liberal Democrats said they proudly voted against the “unacceptably weak” targets last week.

The party says its MPs voted against the legislation in an attempt to force the Tories to set far stronger targets.

The party was critical of the timeframe and said it will only allow water companies to continue dumping sewage into our rivers and seas for another 15 years.

Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: “This is a pathetic target which allows water companies to get away with a staggering 15 more years of shameful sewage dumping.

“This is a betrayal of the British public who rightly want tougher action against water companies.”