Kurtz renews call for stronger action on water quality in Pembrokeshire following visit with openwater swimmers
Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz MS has renewed his call for stronger action to tackle water pollution in Pembrokeshire, highlighting the need for a coordinated approach to improving water quality across the county.
Speaking after observing a morning sea swim in Saundersfoot with local open water swimming groups the Numb Nuts and the Blue Tits on Friday (13th March) Samuel Kurtz said public concern about sewage discharges into Welsh waterways continues to grow.
“Pembrokeshire is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline and waterways in the UK, and they should be protected for everyone who lives here and enjoys them,” said Samuel.
“However, I regularly hear from residents, swimmers, surfers and local businesses who are deeply frustrated by repeated reports of sewage discharges into our rivers and seas while water company executives continue to receive large bonuses or hide behind a not-for-profit status.”
Samuel Kurtz welcomed enforcement action taken against Welsh Water following pollution incidents but stressed that penalties must translate into meaningful improvements.
“Fines alone are not enough. The money must be reinvested directly into improving our sewage infrastructure so that these incidents become far less frequent,” he said.
“Customers should not be left paying higher water bills to fix failures that should have been addressed years ago.”
The Member of the Senedd also highlighted the importance of understanding where responsibility for water quality lies.
“Water quality in Wales is fully devolved and is the responsibility of the Welsh Government. That means decisions about regulation, environmental standards and oversight sit here in Wales, not in Westminster.”
Samuel Kurtz has consistently raised water quality concerns affecting Pembrokeshire’s rivers, coastline and communities during his time in the Senedd. In a previous Plenary session, he challenged the Welsh Government’s Climate Change Minister and called for stronger measures to prevent untreated sewage from being discharged into Welsh waterways.
His proposal included introducing a statutory duty on water companies to take all reasonable steps to stop sewage being released into seas, rivers and lakes – a measure similar to steps taken in England to improve water quality.
However, the proposal was dismissed by Welsh Labour ministers.
Samuel said the response reflected a wider pattern of the Welsh Government rejecting constructive proposals to improve water quality.
“Time and again I have raised concerns about sewage discharges and the impact they are having on our rivers and coastline, only to see sensible suggestions dismissed by Welsh Labour ministers,” he said.
“This isn’t about politics – it’s about protecting our environment and restoring public confidence in the safety of our waterways.”
Over recent years, the Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire has supported community campaigns and open-water swimming groups highlighting water quality issues, raised pollution concerns affecting the River Cleddau and local bathing waters, and called for greater transparency from water companies on sewage discharges and infrastructure investment.
He has also backed collaborative initiatives such as the Cleddau Project, which brings together partners to improve the ecological health of the Cleddau catchment.
Samuel Kurtz believes that while local projects are making progress, a broader strategy is needed.
“There is some fantastic work happening locally, including the Cleddau Project, which shows what can be achieved when organisations work together to restore river health,” he said.
“But we need a holistic, Wales-wide approach to water quality rather than piecemeal action. That means tackling sewage infrastructure, agricultural run-off, environmental monitoring and enforcement together. I will continue to ensure that this issue gets the attention that it deserves in the Senedd.”
