What steps are being taken by the Welsh Government to improve the water quality of rivers and seas in the South Wales Central area?
Protecting and enhancing our water environment in both South Wales Central and across Wales is a priority of this government.
Currently, 44% of Wales’ rivers meet good ecological status, but we need to do more. Investment, legislative drivers and support coupled with a robust regulatory framework will drive evidence-led river water quality improvements. River Basin Management Plans provide an overarching framework for water management, helping to protect and improve our water environment, and the Better River Quality Taskforce has been established to drive improvements in river water quality.
The Welsh Government is leading an integrated catchment approach focussing on multi-sector co-operation. Earlier this month, the First Minister reconvened the Phosphate Summit to bring together all those with a part to play in reducing river pollution.
In our seas, we have achieved Good Environmental Status in the 2019 assessment for both contaminants and eutrophication indicators as found in the UK Marine Strategy Part One, which is available online at Marine Strategy Part One: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Status (publishing.service.gov.uk). To ensure we maintain this, Welsh Government are working closely with the UK and Devolved Governments to set out measures in the forthcoming Programme of Measures which is due to be published soon.