BEACH FAILS WATER TEST ONCE AGAIN

A BEACH known as a “jewel in the crown” has been rated the worst in Wales for water quality for the second year in a row.

Last November, Cemaes beach in northern Anglesey, right, was given a “poor” rating in quality tests carried out by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

It prompted both NRW and Anglesey council to try to resolve the issue, amid concerns it could have an impact on tourism in the area.

But a year on, the beach has once again failed the same test, despite all other 103 Welsh beaches managing to meet the required standards.

Cemaes beach – described as “a jewel in the crown” of Anglesey – is situated near the former nuclear power station being decommissioned at Wylfa.

NRW has previously blamed livestock bacteria and excrement as a possible cause of the pollution, carrying out 48 farm visits to ensure that slurry and other pollutants are stored appropriately and don’t run off into Afon Wygyr and its tribu- taries which flow into the sea off Cemaes.

Euros Jones, NRW operations manager for North Wales, says he’s confident they’re moving in the right direction, despite the poor rating.

Mr Jones said: “We’ve sampled the whole river system to look for any significant single source of pollution and found none. Any sources of pollution are small and dispersed.

“We’ve been working with farmers to ensure slurry is stored and spread safely on farm land to prevent run-off, and we’ve had good cooperation from them.”

Mr Jones added that further preventative action has been taken to try to improve the water quality.

But Coun Aled Morris Jones, despite noting no tangible impact on tourism so far, was adamant that the situation must be resolved as a matter of urgency.

“I’m not convinced that Cemaes is a dirty beach at all, but it’s not acceptable for this to have gone on for so long,” said Morris Jones.

“NRW has to do all in its power to sort this out once and for all.”