Waste: Mariners want political action to tackle pollution – BBC News

Langland Bay in Gower, Swansea county, attracts hundreds of swimmers and surfers, but swimming group leader Howard Jones said fewer people were interested. enter.

“It’s not just Langland, Caswell, Swansea, I’m hearing about children with ear infections or respiratory infections, it’s hard to tell.

“For sure, in the last six months, the number of people complaining about this issue has increased.”

Sally Howells, 57, travels from Cardiff to Gower to swim, and to check out notices about littering.

“I’m scared to go in there to be completely honest,” he said. “It’s dangerous to go swimming.”

Rupert Miles, a 62-year-old swimmer, said he thought his recent illnesses might be related to swimming in the ocean.

“I had a few really bad stomach flu attacks, so I went to the doctor,” he said.

“You don’t want to blame, but say, ‘you swim in the sea, maybe it’s garbage'”.

Caris Bowen, 32, teaches swimming in the water and prefers to teach in a spring lake in Glynneath rather than the sea.

“I have to check an app every day to see if it’s safe for us,” he said.

“It’s getting worse … it’s worrying. It’s going to have a big impact on my business.”

During heavy rains, sewage plants can dump untreated sewage to prevent the system from being overwhelmed.

However, if plants emit more waste than they are allowed to emit, they may be in violation of their permits.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which monitors water in Wales, was asked to comment but declined.

The water company said that by 2025 it would have invested more than £1.4bn in its wastewater and working closely with regulators.

Most powers relating to the water industry are devolved to Wales, but campaigners Surfers Against Sewage said they wanted all councils to work together.

“It’s almost a daily occurrence that we hear about illegal dumping,” said Alun Moseley.

“We are hearing stories of people getting sick.

“We are past the point of hearing empty promises. We need to see change.”

Welsh Water said it had taken responsibility for protecting bathing waters and was investing in environmental projects.

“There are many factors that affect bathing and the quality of the water in the river in general.

“We are committed to working closely with regulators and other parties to ensure we do everything we can to protect the environment.”

Labor insisted its Welsh government was “leading the charge” to “tackle all sources of pollution”.

“The UK Labor Government will continue to push for further improvements, including giving regulatory authorities the power to block the payment of bonuses to authorities who damage our waterways.”

The Conservatives said that the British government is “putting water companies to work by subjecting abusers to endless penalties”.

“Welsh Conservatives have long called for Labor and NRW to stop water companies from being sanctioned and fined.”

Plaid Cymru cited an “antiquated waste management system” and a “lack of enforcement powers” in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru strongly believes that the supply and treatment of water in Wales should be managed by a single organisation,” it said.

“We also formally request powers from the UK government on waste licensing in Wales.”

While the Liberal Democrats have not released their Welsh manifesto, the UK branch said the party would “work hard to protect our rivers and coasts”.

“It is a complete travesty that the Conservative UK government and the Welsh Labor government have allowed the water companies to get away with destroying our waterways here in Wales,” he said.

Reform UK said it “will provide a fair system of regulation and very heavy fines for water companies that damage our natural environment”.

“The wealth of the foreign shareholders is not acceptable, while the price is high, but all the dirty water is being pumped into our rivers and seas.

The Green Party said “it is a disgrace that people no longer feel safe swimming in our seas”.

“The only way to end this crisis is to return the water companies to the control of the country.