*** Update to the below - The first formal water quality test of the year demonstrates excellent seawater quality: Water quality data ***
*** Unfortunately the incorrect reporting continues over six weeks after first reported to me on 21st April 2024. ***
Having been contacted by residents concerned about alerts they had received regarding sewage discharges in Prestatyn, Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has received assurances from Welsh Water that the warnings were incorrect.
James contacted Welsh Water after receiving calls and emails from people living in the Prestatyn area reporting sewage discharges onto the beach.
However, in a letter of response from Welsh Water, the MP has been told that there have been no such sewage discharges.
The water company also assured him that regular water quality tests take place between 15th May and 30th September, known as “bathing season”.
They explained that the reason residents have been receiving the warnings is due to errors with the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) app, and an incorrect signal reporting issue at one of the pumping stations at Prestatyn.
The response James received from Welsh Water states:
“It appears that the emails you are receiving from your constituents are being sent via the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) app. This app is currently undergoing an update and one of their representatives has advised us that they are experiencing logic issues with this update, which may affect the accuracy of the information shown on their app.
“We are also aware of a signal issue at one of our pumping stations in Prestatyn and a pollution alert is triggered on the SAS app in error when the surface water pump starts up. This is a normal part of the operation and does not result in a sewerage discharge to the water course (i.e. a spill is displayed when there is not necessarily a spill taking place). We are working to resolve this as soon as possible, which will then allow the correct icon to appear on the SAS app.
“May I suggest your constituents visit our real time Storm Overflow Map which we launched on 1 February 2024, where customers can see in near real time (within one hour) the operational status of an overflow.
“Its purpose is to give users better visibility of our operations, to allow them to make an informed decision about water use. This has been initially launched for all bathing water sites and will later be rolled out for all our overflows by March 2025. You can access this map here.
“I can confirm we do not have any assets that discharge directly onto Prestatyn beach. The assets we do have in the area have operated in line with their permit following periods of heavy rainfall. Storm overflow discharges that take place within the permit conditions set out by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are considered to have minimal impact on the basis of the storm effluent being extremely dilute (estimated 95% surface water/rainwater) and the watercourse to which it is discharging also being in flood at the times of the discharge.”
Commenting, James said:
“I received numerous calls and emails from residents who were understandably very concerned about the alerts they were receiving.
“It took some time to clarify the situation with Welsh Water, but I am pleased I have now received clear assurances and have been able to relay this information to all those who contacted me and allay their fears.
“We are fortunate to have a beautiful beach in Prestatyn, which is enjoyed by locals and visitors from far and wide, so it is reassuring to know that there have been no sewage discharges onto the beach, which has excellent water quality and a Blue Flag award.
“I hope the regular water quality tests that Welsh Water referred to in their response will continue to demonstrate ‘excellent’ seawater quality."
James has taken a keen interest in the continued improvement of the local environment for many years, as a Trustee of Prestatyn Environment Association, as a member of the National Trust and through numerous other means.
Some years ago, he was pleased to pledge his support to Philip Dunne MP’s Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill.
He said:
“There has been recent increased national debate over water pollution, regrettably alongside a great deal of party political noise and much inaccurate reporting. Environmental matters in Wales are devolved to Cardiff Bay but I encourage all those interested to view my website page on 'Storm Sewage Discharges'; https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/campaigns/storm-sewage-discharges
“Meanwhile, if anyone has any concerns about a discharge they have witnessed, they can report this by calling Welsh Water’s 24-hour contact centre on 0800 085 3968.”
