Investigations as pollution found at Welsh beaches

INVESTIGATIONS are under way after pollution was found in bathing waters at two Welsh beaches.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Dwr Cymru and Vale of Glamorgan Council are looking into the causes after Watch House Bay and Ogmoreby-sea were rated poor, meaning water quality was below the minimum standard expected.

Signs advising against swimming have been put up at both beaches this year but they are still open as a poor rating does not mean bathing is banned or a beach is closed.

They were Wales’ only non-compliant beaches when results were released in 2023.

The pollution could be coming from a variety of places, like farms, urban activity, private cess pits, septic tanks or treatment plants. With results from the investigation, NRW has said it can work with those responsible to make the water cleaner.

Miles Punter, the council’s director of environment and housing, said after a meeting about Watch House

Bay: “The council is not responsible for maintaining water quality at beaches, but we do want everyone to enjoy these locations so the results for Watch House Bay and Ogmore are very disappointing.

“They mean we are legally responsible to install signs advising people of their ‘poor’ categorisation. However, this is not a situation we are happy with. Bathing waters play an important role in people’s health and well-being, in boosting the economy and supporting wildlife.

“Many locations in the Vale have bathing water rated as ‘excellent’ and this is the standard we want everywhere. We have been working with NRW and Dwr Cymru towards that aim. Hopefully, by bringing everyone together like this, we can find a way to make the necessary improvements as soon as possible.”

The council’s environment and regeneration scrutiny committee will look at a report about the water quality at all of the bathing beaches in the Vale on April 16.

Alison Woolcock, of Watchtower Waders, said: “We look forward to further meetings to see the progress and welcome a future whereby Watch House has a positive rating so all the community feel safe and secure to use the beaches and water.

“Whilst we understand as a group that the Vale council cannot recommend swimming at Watchtower due to last year’s poor readings, we will continue to swim but will use the useful apps provided by Dwr Cymru and NRW to make it as safe as possible.”