Natural Resources Wales has issued a warning to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water after parts of its performance worsened year-on-year. The total number of pollution incidents increased by around 20% compared to 2022, with the company responsible for 107 in 2023. This number had been slowly but steadily decreasing since 2015 but began rising again in 2021.
NRW said it was "disappointing" that the improvement on this metric was not sustained. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter . The number of serious pollution incidents rose from five to seven, including a major incident involving a burst sewer pipe on the River Taff at Pontypridd in March 2023.
Overall, Welsh Water received a two-star (requires improvement) rating. The water company was ranked as significantly below target for two of the seven metrics measured, close to or below target on three, and better than target on two. READ MORE: Tents, parking, partying, fires and human faeces making life hell at Welsh beauty spot READ MORE: Mystery object found on Welsh beach NRW has now issued what it says is a "stark warning" to NRW that it needs to improve its performance.
Chief executive Clare Pillman said: "Despite increased pressure from ourselves as regulators, and from politicians and the public, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have failed to make the kind of improvements we want and expect to see. “It is unacceptable that we are now seeing a year-on-year increase in significant pollution incidents, a.