Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed news that 99% of bathing waters in Wales have been classed as compliant, but is concerned that, following repeated storms in recent years, Rhyl’s Marine Lake has been classified as ‘poor’.
James has been told by Natural Resources Wales that this is mainly due to the operation of sluice gates which control flows from the Clwyd Estuary into the lake. These are operated by Denbighshire County Council. NRW said they are committed to working with the Council to help reduce storm water containing higher levels of bacteria from entering the lake.
Commenting, James said:
“I was very disappointed and concerned to hear that Rhyl’s Marine Lake has dropped to poor status for the first time, and that it is the only site in Wales to receive this classification. The lake is a popular attraction in Rhyl, frequented by locals and visitors, and it is therefore vital that the standard is improved.”
James has been told that Natural Resources Wales officers have been working closely with Denbighshire officers from the Harbour Office and Environmental Health, and with cooperation from Welsh Water, are working towards changes in the operation of the sluice gates - and their potential replacement - that will improve the water quality in the lake next season.
While the lake is currently classed as ‘Poor’, with the above improvements in place the 2023 sample data is expected to be of good/excellent quality. These results will then be considered towards reassessment and it is hoped the lake will move out of ‘Poor’ and into ‘Good’ status.
It is also possible that with planned investment in a new sluice gate, reducing the amount of water abstracted into the lake, it may return to ‘Excellent’ status in the future.
Welsh Water is also investing £1.4 million on improving their wastewater pumping station at Marine Lake. As part of this work, they are replacing three screens and the penstock to their storm tank. The new screens will help remove more rags, objects and debris form the wastewater network and will help increase capacity in the storm tank. This means during bad weather they will be able to hold more flows in the tank so that it doesn’t overwhelm the network. This will help minimise the need to discharge water into the Clwyd Estuary during bad weather and help them treat the water better.
James added:
“I very much welcome these efforts and will be keeping a close eye on progress. Given that the lake is used for many water sports and by children crabbing, particularly in the summer months, the target time they have set for improving the standard really needs to be achieved.”
Meanwhile, water quality at Prestatyn Central Beach will remain as ‘Excellent’, Rhyl East as ‘Good’ and Rhyl as ‘Sufficient’ for 2023.
