I recently hosted a meeting between the Friends of the Lower Wye, the Environment Agency (EA) and Welsh Water in Cinderford, to discuss the water quality of the River Wye.
This is an important issue and a number of my constituents have written to me with their concerns over the levels of phosphate pollution and water sewage being put into the river. This pollution is having an impact on the marine and plant life that live in and around the Wye.
This meeting follows on from my letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that set out my concerns over the current water quality. I posted a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State on Facebook on 24th July, and I have included it below in case you wish to read it.
Today’s meeting was very positive. What is clear is that this issue isn’t a quick fix. However, work is already being done by the EA, Welsh Water and Severn Trent.
In the coming months, I plan to meet with the Friends of the Lower Wye again, to discuss progress, as well as meet with some of the businesses and farms that all play a part in protecting the health of our river.