Concerns have been raised over the prolonged time it is taking to resolve bathing water quality issues at the popular Ogmore-by-Sea beach in the Vale of Glamorgan. During a Bridgend Council communities, environment, and housing scrutiny committee meeting, councillors received an update on the state of local bathing waters.
Bathing Water Ratings
A presentation revealed that the borough's three designated bathing sites—Rest Bay, Sandy Bay, and Trecco Bay—had all achieved “excellent” ratings from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for both 2024 and 2025. However, four beaches in the borough are not regularly monitored, with particular concerns focused on Ogmore-by-Sea and the River Ogmore, which straddle the border with the Vale of Glamorgan.
Ogmore-by-Sea, located within the Vale of Glamorgan, has received a poor bathing water quality rating since 2023. Speakers noted the area's connection to Bridgend, as the river system runs through the borough, and the beach is situated downstream from the Penybont Wastewater Treatment Works.
Welsh Water's Response
Addressing a recorded pollution incident in 2024, Welsh Water stated there was no evidence of an ongoing leak from the site’s primary settlement tanks. A wider scheme of work is now underway, including a pilot project called the south-central bathing waters project, which is set to run until March 2027 and aims to identify and address pollution causes in the river. Additionally, a £7.5m scheme is in progress to increase storm tank capacity at the treatment works, alongside a further assessment of storm overflows across Wales.
Council Leader's Criticism
Council leader John Spanswick expressed disappointment at the pace of work. He recalled a site visit two years ago to see two storage tanks being re-purposed, noting that only one had been completed since then. “It’s been nearly two years for the one tank and it will be getting close to three years for the second tank,” he said. “I just want to express my disappointment for the length of time it’s taken to bring those tanks into use.”
He added: “I know it costs money and things don’t happen overnight, but we see in China or Japan they build a city in the time it’s taken to bring one tank back into commission – and all the while because those tanks are not in commission there’s sewage going into the river. It’s just not good enough. Welsh Water need to do a lot better and NRW need to do a lot better in enforcing regulations against Welsh Water.”
Environmental Charity's Concerns
A spokesman for environmental charity A Peace For Nature claimed the local catchment had some of the worst-performing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the country, stating that rivers such as the Ogmore, Llynfi, Garw, and Ewenny were “full of sewage.” He also criticized regulation as “incredibly weak,” saying there had been “no teeth” from NRW over the last decade.
NRW's Response
In response to questions about pollution incidents at Bridgend’s Afon Kenfig, an NRW representative said that where breaches of regulation occur, they will investigate and take enforcement action. They confirmed an investigation is underway for the most recent incident at the Afon Kenfig.
Committee Recommendations
As part of the committee’s recommendations, Councillor Ian Williams proposed that the local authority consider taking action against Welsh Water on grounds of statutory nuisance and environmental and public health. Councillor Jonathan Pratt asked that they explore the potential of making Newton Beach a recognized bathing area, given its proximity to Ogmore-by-Sea, to enable more regular monitoring. Councillor Martin Williams requested more technical detail about the interventions planned for local rivers.
