Water company to be investigated over sewage

The water company responsible for drinking and waste water in north Powys is under scrutiny as part of an investigation into sewage treatment works.

Hafren Dyfrdwy, which covers north Powys, is part of an investigation by water regulator Ofwat. The organisation announced 11 ater companies in the UK are part of the investigation.

It follows concern about the amount of sewage being released into rivers, including the River Severn. Severn Trent, which operates Hafren Dyfrdwy, is also being investigated along with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water which covers south and mid Powys and the rest of Wales.

Environmentalists, water users, and communities throughout the UK and locally in Mid Wales and Shropshire, have raised concern about the state of local rivers due to the amount of sewage being released into them without treatment.

A statement said: "On 16 July 2024, we announced the opening of enforcement cases into four more water and wastewater companies and has served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent and United Utilities.

"The opening of these enforcement cases follows detailed analysis of information on companies’ environmental performance and data about how often these companies spill from storm overflows. This has heightened our concerns that these companies may not be fulfilling their obligations to protect the environment and minimise pollution.

"Opening these four new cases means that we now have enforcement activities underway against all 11 water and wastewater companies in England and Wales in relation to the operation of their wastewater businesses."