Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has ruled out a suspected sewage leak after the River Usk near Llanfoist Bridge in Abergavenny turned brown and murky over the weekend. An investigation found no evidence of sewage pollution, with NRW attributing the discolouration to algae affected by recent hot weather.
Investigation Details
On Sunday, July 12, NRW officers attended the site following reports of suspected pollution. Images showed the river heavily discoloured. At NRW's request, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water conducted an investigation, which found no evidence of sewage pollution or issues with nearby wastewater assets.
A spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said: 'We received a report of suspected pollution in the River Usk near Llanfoist Bridge, Abergavenny, on Sunday, July 12. Following an initial assessment Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water attended the location at our request and carried out an investigation. The investigation found no evidence of sewage pollution or any issues with nearby wastewater assets.'
Cause of Discolouration
The spokesperson added: 'Based on the findings of the investigation, we believe the brown foam and water discolouration were caused by algae affected by the recent hot weather, rather than by a pollution incident. We will attend the site to verify these findings.'
NRW urged the public to report suspected pollution online at naturalresources.wales/reportit or via their incident hotline on 0300 065 3000.
Ongoing Water Quality Concerns
While NRW ruled out pollution in this instance, campaigners remain concerned about water quality in the Rivers Wye and Usk. Angela Jones, from Monmouthshire, founded Save the River Usk five years ago. She no longer takes clients to the River Wye after more than 40 years of swimming and kayaking there, and now only feels safe using one section of the Usk.
'We have trained thousands to methodically test, systematically measure and collectively report the readings of water quality samples across the entirety of the river,' she said. 'We're so fed up. It breaks my heart. People should be able to enjoy our beautiful river safely.'
Health Concerns and Campaigning
Angela said she regularly hears from people who believe they have become ill after entering the water. 'I have dozens of emails every month from concerned people whose children or pets have become sick from the river.'
She said volunteers and scientists have spent years documenting pollution incidents and presenting evidence to politicians. 'We have scientists. We know what's going on. I have taken my data to Westminster and the Senedd. Everyone seems to be making money out of pollution. Organisations are ticking boxes, so there is no meaningful change.'
Angela said income from her business is reinvested into environmental campaigning to help protect Wales' rivers. 'We have to protect the water and the environment. The by-product of that is that people get the chance to enjoy these incredible places.'
