The report by Surfer Against Sewage highlighted 500,554 sewage discharges across the UK in 2025.

In Wales across 2025, sewage was discharged into Welsh waters more than 100,000 times according to the report. That’s around 274 discharges every day, or one every five minutes.

Those discharges lasted for a total of 822,265 hours.

In 2025, 90 Welsh bathing waters were impacted by 4,083 sewage discharges, lasting for 35,669 hours.

Surfers Against Sewage say they have received 992 sickness reports from people in Wales since 2019. In 2025, there were 215 reports. Between January and August 2026, a further 187 reports were received.

Of the sickness reports linked to designated bathing waters, 90% were associated with waters classified as Good or Excellent.

Responding to figures released by Surfers Against Sewage, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “These figures are absolutely shocking. The fact that sewage was discharged into Welsh rivers and seas more than 100,000 times last year, including thousands of unpermitted discharges, should be a source of national embarrassment.

“People should be able to enjoy our rivers, lakes and beaches without worrying about sewage pollution or putting their health at risk.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been leading the charge against sewage pollution for years, campaigning for cleaner waterways and greater accountability from water companies and regulators.

“We urgently need to see proper investment in our ageing infrastructure, stronger independent regulation and real consequences for those responsible for pollution.

“The people of Wales deserve clean rivers and seas, and we will keep fighting until we have the regulation and accountability needed to deliver that.”