Pollution in the Dee is back, confirms environment watchdog

llanblogger exclusive

Pollution in the River Dee through Llangollen is back, according to Natural Resources Wales.

In May llanblogger published a special report featuring claims that some form of pollutant was coming from upstream of the Horseshoe Falls, dirty foam was collecting in eddies of water and on rocks and about 20 kayakers had become sick with serious gastro-intestinal problems during a river festival in April.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, which are jointly responsible for the Dee, both said their expert teams would work to find out what was causing the problem.

A few weeks later both organisations reported that the cause had been found to be a misconnection issue where a private wastewater pipe was connected to the incorrect surface water drainage network.

Philip Barrett, Senior Officer, Denbighshire Environment Team at NRW, said at the time: "The misconnection issue has been raised with Denbighshire County Council, and a separate operator has carried out repair works to a damaged section of a wastewater inspection chamber."

However, llanblogger has been hearing since that pollution continues to blight the river and early this morning (Friday) representatives of NRW, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Denbighshire County Council could be seen conferring near the bridge.

A spokesperson from NRW said: "Recent investigations into the odour and fungal growth at the Llangollen outfall found that the situation had been improving.

"Following further reports on this, we have identified that the issue has returned. We attended the site on 26 June with Denbighshire Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to try and determine the source of the issue. Samples have been collected and the investigations are continuing. 

“If anyone suspects a pollution incident, please report it to our 24-hour incident line on 03000 65 3000 or by using our online form."

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Denbighshire Council have also been asked to comment.

* llanblogger took this picture of what appears to be a patch of foam or scum floating on the water's surface near the bridge this morning. NRW has been asked to say whether it is connected to the latest pollution incident.