The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Labour Government to do more to tackle sewage dumping in Wales, including in the River Wye.

During a debate in the Senedd last week, Liberal Democrat Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds told Labour that they possess the powers to tackle the issue within Cardiff Bay.

Over the last two years, executives at Welsh Water have drawn critcism after it was reports they received £2.4 million – including £808,000 in bonuses – while they continue to dump raw sewerage into Welsh rivers and lakes.

In 2020, the storm drains lining the rivers and streams that flow into the Wye discharged sewage 40,000 times.

This means raw sewage was dumped into rivers and streams for a total of 17 million minutes - the equivalent to 33 years.

The River Wye has previously been given just two years to recover before it will be declared biologically dead.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on bonuses for water bosses to be banned until they clean up their act, alongside greater investment in phosphate removal and greater funding for Natural Resources Wales to help them enforce requirements.

Jane Dodds MS said: “As someone who lives in Hay-on-Wye and swims in the River Wye during summer, I am especially really concerned with the issue of water quality and pollution.

“Our river, a national treasure has been given two years until it is declared biologically dead, we must ensure that changes are made and are made urgently.

“I think it is disgraceful that Welsh Water bosses continue to receive large bonuses and to reward themselves for their own failure on water pollution.

“The Welsh Government needs to ban these bonuses until water companies clean up their act and put an end to sewage dumping in our rivers, lakes and seas.

“Labour also needs to invest in phosphate removal technology and adequately support Natural Resources Wales, which is underfunded and understaffed.

“We know from votes last year the Conservatives in Westminster aren’t interested in stopping sewage dumping, but Labour mustn’t forget they also have powers in the Senedd to tackle this issue, they don’t need to wait for Westminster.

“I will continue to fight for the right for the River Wye, Usk and others to be protected and restored to full health.”