Efforts to improve river water quality in Wales have taken a step forward following a summit bringing together ministers, regulators, farmers and environmental groups.

The Water Summit, chaired by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies at Hensol Castle on January 22, focused on the impact of agriculture on rivers and the progress being made to reduce pollution.

Welsh Government ministers said the meeting confirmed that work was under way to tighten and clarify agricultural pollution rules after an independent review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution regulations. A Task and Finish Group has been set up to consider changes in phases, with an emphasis on targeting activities that pose the highest risk to water quality.

Natural Resources Wales told the summit that farm compliance rates had increased from 37 per cent to 47 per cent following closer collaboration with the sector. Enforcement funding has also been increased to £1.58 million for 2025-26, as part of a wider £4.13 million commitment.

The government said many farmers were seeking to invest in more sustainable systems, particularly around nutrient management and slurry storage. Ministers have already committed £69 million towards such improvements, with more than 540 expressions of interest submitted during the most recent funding round.

Work is also underway through the Nutrient Trading Group to explore and develop a nutrient trading platform. The Welsh Government is actively developing market-based solutions, including nutrient trading, which has the potential to become a transformative tool for river catchments, and an innovative opportunity for farmers and landowners.

Two new funding approaches were outlined at the summit, including a future application round of the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme, expected to open later this year, focusing on water quality and nature-based solutions.

The Deputy First Minister said:"Water is at the heart of Welsh life, our communities, our farms, our wildlife, our sense of place - and as we all know, it is under pressure.

“The challenges we face are complex, interconnected and longstanding. But the work underway across government, regulators, industry, NGOs and farming unions gives me confidence that we are moving with purpose and in partnership.

"Our ambition is clear: healthier rivers, a sustainable and profitable farming sector, thriving rural communities, a regulatory system that is fair, proportionate and enforceable, and new economic opportunities in nature-based investment and environmental markets.

“This is a collective mission. No one sector created the problem, and no one sector can solve it. But together, with the right evidence, the right investment, the right incentives and the right regulation, we can restore Wales's waterbodies to the healthy, living systems that our communities, our wildlife and our economy deserve.”

A Welsh Government Green Paper on the future of water governance in Wales will be published next month.