What steps is the Welsh Government taking to monitor river pollution in Wales?
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) undertakes river quality monitoring in accordance with legal obligations. NRW has an extensive river monitoring network designed to fulfil several policy drivers and specific needs. Under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (WFD), all rivers in Wales are risk assessed and inform a monitoring programme, which is intended to both provide a representative picture of all river types and to cover all locations and parameters where risk is detected. There is also monitoring based on protected area status and habitats assessments. The programme is complemented by area-led and incident-derived investigative monitoring based on local needs, as well as theme specific such as the emerging contaminants programme.
The Welsh Government Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) programme undertakes a programme of ecosystem monitoring which includes physical, ecological and chemical monitoring of headwater streams in upland Wales. The ERAMMP monitoring of headwater streams compliments and adds to NRW’s far larger programme of water quality monitoring of rivers across Wales.
Furthermore, many of our rivers are sources for public water supply and abstraction points and are subjected to detailed and regular monitoring by water companies. Other organisations such as rivers trusts, the Coal Authority and academic institutions also carry out water quality monitoring.