Finalising a new means of measuring river pollution
A NEW way of calculating how river quality in Carmarthenshire could be impacted by developments and agricultural run-off is being finalised.
The council’s “phosphate calculator” is a response to national phosphate targets for special areas of conservation (SACS) in river and estuary areas in Wales.
At present, more than 60% of waterbodies in Wales fail the stricter targets, and councils have been asked to take more action to avoid further deterioration of the environment. This means any development proposals within SAC river catchments – in particular those that will generate increased volume or concentration of waste water – must prove the design will not contribute to increased phosphate pollution.
The main sources of phosphates in rivers are agriculture run-off and fertilisers, and sewage. In large quantities they can lead to a dramatic growth in algae and deplete oxygen levels when they enter the water. The phosphate issue has left many planning applications for new homes and other schemes in affected areas in limbo.
Carmarthenshire Council is having to amend its entire local development plan (LDP) because 527 homes earmarked in the plan are affected by the guidance from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Cabinet members agreed a series of recommendations at a meeting on February 14, including amending the LDP and setting up and leading a River Tywi nutrient management board.
The cabinet report said: “These implications are inevitably significant and may require ‘deallocation’ of a number of housing sites in the affected catchments.”
More work would be needed, including input from Welsh Water, before it was clear which of the housing sites could be retained.
Introducing the report, Cllr David Jenkins said: “There remains specific and challenging issues in progressing the LDP in its current form.”
Almost all of the housing allocations affected are in the River Tywi and Teifi SACS, in the north of the county. New nutrient management boards in Wales are being set up to consider whether development proposals negatively impact on phosphate levels in their catchment area. Ceredigion Council would take on the lead role for the Teifi, Pembrokeshire Council for the Cleddau, and Powys Council for the Wye.
At present the Teifi and Cleddau SACS are failing NRW’S targets.
Cllr Linda Evans said: “It’s really important that work on the nutrient management boards starts as soon as possible.”
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Rhodri Griffiths, Carmarthenshire’s head of place and sustainability, said the council’s phosphate calculator would be the first of its kind in Wales.
“We are working with partners to smooth the introduction of that calculator,” he said.
Meanwhile, further amendments to the LDP in its current form are possible because councils are having to assess potential flood impacts of developments following new planning guidance by NRW. This guidance was meant to come into force at the end of 2021 but was then delayed to 2023.