MAIN RESOURCES
Sewage Spill Events in 2022 for Selected Sites along the Lower Teifi
This data has been collated and turned into visual and instantly accessible calendar format by Callum Firth - Chair of the Save the Teifi Steering Group.
Sewage spill data from 2022 associated with three Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSO) along the lower Teifi were provided by Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water. The raw data indicates the time and date when a spill first occurred and if a spill took place in any subsequent 15 minute period during the first 12 hours of a spill event. If the spills continue after this then the number of 15 minute periods with a spill are counted in 24 hour blocks until the spills stop (e.g. there are no spills for at least 24 hours). The data does not record the volume of diluted sewage that is spilled into the river and it does not say whether the spill lasted the full 15 minutes or just a few seconds. In terms of the data that has been reported to Natural Resources Wales and has been used by the press it is assumed that a spill lasts 15 minutes.
This data has been used to create calendars which illustrate the days on which sewage spills took place and the intensity of the spills. A day consists of 96 periods of 15 minutes. So if the CSO was spilling for 48 periods this would be 50% of the time. The spill intensity has been broken down into 4 broad categories (see below) with the lightest colour for the lowest percentage.
- 1-25%
- 26-50%
- 51-75%
- 76-100%
The three sites were selected because they had recorded a high number of hours of spillage. The selected sites were:-
Llechryd Pumping Station No. 1 – This is located near the river and is the site where sewage from the village is pumped up from the river to the Sewage Treatment Works.
Cilgerran Pumping Station No. 1 – This is located just below Cilgerran Castle and is the site where sewage from the village is pumped up from the river to the Sewage Treatment Works above the gorge.
Cardigan Waste Water Treatment Works – This is located just west of Cardigan and treats the sewage from the town. The CSO is located in the centre of the river.
Llechryd Pumping Station No. 1
The spills occur after rainfall events and when the river is at a high level. The prolonged periods of spill in November, December, January and February are associated with prolonged periods of rainfall and elevated river levels. Water continues to flow into the sewer system even though it has stopped raining.
Cilgerran Pumping Station No. 1
Again the spills occur after rainfall events and when the river is at a high level. The prolonged periods of spill in November, December, January, February and March are associated with prolonged periods of rainfall and elevated river levels. Water continues to flow into the sewer system even though it has stopped raining. The spills in May, June, July and September coincide with local rainfall events and rising river levels. It suggests the pumping station CSO is very susceptible to rainfall events and struggles to cope with the increased water flows. The graph below shows the level of the river Teifi from mid June to early August and along with rainfall data confirms that the site spills when it is flooded by excess water in the sewerage system.
Cardigan Waste Water Treatment Works
The pattern of spills is very different at Cardigan Treatment Works, with spills occuring throughout the year. For the months of January, Feb, March, April, October, November and December there are spills taking place nearly every day. There are also spills occuring through the summer of 2022, which we know was drier than usual. Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water were invited to explain why the Cardigan Treatment Works had such a high level of spillage and the following explaination was provided...
"At Welsh Water, we are committed to being open with the data on the performance of our storm overflows and make this available on our website.
Our data for Cardigan Wastewater Treatment Works does show that there have been a number of spills from the site during the summer months; this is something we have been investigating and trying to resolve for some time. Our investigations have found that the works is seeing seawater enter the works – particularly during spring high tides. This is known as saline intrusion.
This intrusion is in turn affecting the treatment process at the works, which can then exceed the current flow capacity of the works. These issues can cause the works to spill – however it should be noted that any spills from Cardigan would be very diluted from the saline intrusion.
We are working closely with Natural Resources Wales on this matter, and they are aware of our plans to invest around £20m to alleviate this issue during our next investment period (2025 – 2030). This project will change the process type at Cardigan WwTW, ensuring the site can cope better with this influx of salt water, helping to reduce the spill frequency from this site. In addition to this, our operations team undertake process cleans on site each spring, ahead of the bathing water season to ensure the works is in the best possible position for the summer months."
Welsh Water EDM Data for 2022
Welsh Water Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data for 2022 can be viewed on an interactive map
which is available on their website.
Click link: Welsh Water EDM data Interactive map
SAGIS modelling on the sources of phosphorus pollution
Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water published the latest SAGIS modelling on the sources of phosphorus pollution in four Welsh Special Area of Conservation-designated (SAC) rivers. The results from the Dee, Teifi, Usk and upper Wye indicate that the relative phosphorus contributions from agriculture and sewage treatment works vary considerably from river to river. In the Teifi, for example, agriculture is contributing 28% of the river’s total load of phosphorus while treatment works are contributing 67%. In the Upper Wye, however, 72% is attributable to agriculture and 23% to treatment works.
Click link: Latest Phosphorus Source Modelling Published for Four Welsh SAC Rivers | Afonydd Cymru
The Rivers Trust Sewage Map
The Maps have been update with the 2022 data see: Raw sewage in our rivers | The Rivers Trust
This is the link for the map - find out if any UK river is fit to play: Sewage Map | The Rivers Trust
Take a deeper dive into the problem - click link: www.theriverstrust.org.
Note that Feargul Sharkey (once of the Undertones) is campaigning for waterways - click link: Feargul Sharkey
Violation Tracker UK: Tracking the regulation of our waterways
the UK’s first wide-ranging database tracking corporate regulatory infringements. This blog, writes about how data can be used to follow regulation of the water industry and provides a link to the database.
Click link: Violation Tracker UK: Tracking the regulation of our waterways (wcl.org.uk)
Natural Resources Wales map of data about the environment
An interactive map with information on forestry, water habitats and infrastructure - click link:
Speak Up for Our Rivers
Surfers against Sewage. A lot of good information and a petition (now closed) - click link:
See also their Safer Seas Service Interactive Map: www.sas.org.uk/map/
Rivercide - George Mombiot investigates the River Wye pollution
Channel 4 TV - Britain's Water Scandal: Dispatches
Jimmy Doherty investigates Britain's water companies dumping untreated sewage into our rivers and seas.
Why have companies been getting away with it for so long?
click link: Britain's Water Scandal: Dispatches - All 4 (channel4.com)
FreshWater Watch
A global citizen science project developed by Earthwatch Europe. It has never been so important to protect our precious freshwater resources. Nearly all freshwater environments are impacted by man-made pollutants and by 2050 half of the world's population will be living in areas of water scarcity. We created theFreshWater Watchproject so that groups all across the globe can easily monitor and protect the health of the rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands and reservoirs upon which we all depend.
click link: FreshWater Watch
.
West Wales Rivers Trust - Teifi Restoration Project
River Teifi Restoration Project. click link: River Teifi Restoration Project / Prosiect Adfer Afon Teifi | West Wales Rivers Trust.
Welsh Water info on Phosphorus
SAC Rivers: Source Apportionment Reports: Understanding the sources of phosphorus in our rivers
click link: SAC Rivers: Source Apportionment Reports | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (dwrcymru.com)
afonydd cymru - Caring for Welsh Rivers
Latest Phosphorus Source Modelling Published for Four Welsh SAC Rivers
click link: Latest Phosphorus Source Modelling Published for Four Welsh SAC Rivers | Afonydd Cymru
see the report from this site: Updating the SAGIS River Teifi Model A4 P4
WWF - Interactive Map of UK showing all Rivers and Streams
Digital River: This map will help you find out about your local river and the condition it's in.
click link: UK Rivers Map | WWF
Drinkable Rivers
Not so long ago most rivers were drinkable. But not anymore. Drinkable Rivers works to make rivers drinkable again.
click link: Home - Drinkable Rivers
WWEM - Free to register event - Citizen Science focus on 13 Oct 22
The 10th in the Series of Water and Wastewater Monitoring events will be held in October 2022. WWEM will focus on instruments and services for water and wastewater process monitoring, laboratory analysis, field and portable testing. WWEM will include an exhibition of over 150 companies who provide instruments, equipment and services to monitor, test and analyse water and wastewater plus over 80 free CPD Certified technical workshop sessions on applications, case studies and new technologies.
Click link: WWEM 2022 - SWIG
WWEM The Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring event is a virtual and in person event that focuses on Instrumentation and services for water and wastewater process monitoring. WWEM offers a technical program aimed at keeping you up to date with the latest trends, regulations, methods, techniques and technologies. Furthermore, you can also network with all industry stakeholders including suppliers, regulators and end-users from industry that need to test, monitor and analyse water and wastewater.
Constructed wetlands, micropollutants and climate change
Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs), also known as ‘surface flow treatment wetlands’, have been applied worldwide to treat wastewaters and, as a nature-based solution, deliver other environmental benefits.
click link: Constructed Wetlands - RSC ECG (envchemgroup.com)
Information on Water testing kits - commercially available
This is for tap water - but there is an interesting array of test products available
Locating our water pipes and sewers can be tricky
Welsh Water can supply maps of water mains and sewage pipe locations for a cost
click link: Locating our water pipes and sewers | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (dwrcymru.com)
Nitrate in Drinking Water
Nitrate fertilizer applied to our crops can run off the fields into surface water such as streams and rivers. Nitrates also seep down through the soil and rocks and can contaminate groundwater. The UK drinking water standard requires the nitrate concentrationto be less than 50 parts per million.
click link: Nitrate in Drinking Water – The Water Professor
see also: Nitrate contamination | Groundwater | British Geological Survey (BGS)
Nitrates and Phosphates: The Effects on Water Quality
Over the past 50 years, there has been a constant trend towards greater intensification and higher agricultural productivity, and this has been accompanied by a significant increase in the use of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilisers. In recent years, in order to address the resultant excessive levels of these chemicals found in waterways and mitigate the effects on water quality, measures to reduce and control their use have been implemented.
click link: Nitrates and Phosphates: The Effects on Water Quality - Agrismart
RSPB - RIVER TEIFI AND CARDIGAN BAY - CASE STUDY
The river is a site of National and European importance, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the range of species and habitats found here. But poor water quality continues to impact this special place, with nutrient run-off from surrounding land use a key contributing factor. This has led to 78% of water bodies in the catchment being classified as moderate or poor under recent Water Framework assessments.
click link: river-teifi-and-cardigan-bay.pdf (rspb.org.uk)
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES DOCUMENTS ON TEIFI MANAGEMENT
Teifi and North Ceredigion Management Catchment Summary
This management catchment summary supports the 2015 updated Western Wales River Basin Management Plans (RBMP). Along with detailed information on the Water Watch Wales (WWW) website, this summary will help to inform and support delivery of local environmental improvements to our groundwater, rivers, lakes, estuaries and coasts.
click link: Teifi catchment summary NRW 2016 (cyfoethnaturiol.cymru)
CORE MANAGEMENT PLAN INCLUDING CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR AFON TEIFI / RIVER TEIFI SAC (SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION)
This is NRW Vision for the Teifi
The Afon Teifi/River Teifi SAC will be maintained or, where necessary, restored to high ecological status, including its largely unmodified and undisturbed physical character, so that all of its special features are able to sustain themselves in the long-term as part of a naturally functioning ecosystem. Allowing the natural processes of erosion and deposition to operate without undue interference and maintaining or restoring connectivity maintains the physical river habitat, which forms the foundation for this ecosystem. The quality and quantity of water, including natural flow variability, and the quality of adjacent habitats will be maintained or restored to a level necessary to maintain the features in favourable condition for the foreseeable future.
The aquatic plant communities that characterise parts of the river are not only attractive but also give a good indication of the overall quality of the environment. They will contain the variety and abundance of species expected for this type of river, in conditions of suitably clean water and bed substrate combined with a relatively stable flow regime. Patches of whiteflowered water-crowfoots will continue to be widespread in the main river and in many of the tributaries. In the more shaded reaches mosses and liverworts predominate.
Five special fish species will be present in numbers that reflect a healthy and sustainable population supported by well-distributed good quality habitat. Bullhead and brook lamprey complete their entire life cycles within the river. Migratory species such as the Atlantic
salmon, sea and river lamprey, which swim up river to spawn and go through their juvenile stages in the river, will be able to complete their migrations and life cycles unhindered by artificial barriers such as weirs, pollution, or depleted flows.
The abundance of prey and widespread availability of undisturbed resting and breeding sites will allow a large otter population to thrive. They will continue to be found along the entire length of the river and its main tributaries.
There will be healthy populations of floating water-plantain in the Teifi Pools and in the river around Tregaron. The Teifi Pools will continue to contain their current range of distinctive aquatic plants that are characteristic of these clear-water upland lakes.
The presence of the Afon Teifi/River Teifi SAC and its special wildlife will continue to enhance the economic and social values of the area by providing a high quality environment for ecotourism, outdoor activities and peaceful enjoyment by local people and visitors.
The river catchment’s functions of controlling flooding and supplying clean water will be recognised and promoted through appropriate land management. The river will remain a focus for education to promote increased understanding of its biodiversity and the essential life support functions of its ecosystems.
Click link: 2012 08 07 Afon Teifi River Teifi SAC management plan _ Eng _ (naturalresources.wales)
Citizen Science and the Delivery of Monitoring in NRW.
This overview provides a brief introduction to citizen science projects and summarises their strengths and weaknesses. To enable appropriate use of citizen science as a monitoring tool, a decision tree is provided to help in the identification of potential citizen science projects as part of the wider NRW corporate monitoring strategy.
Click link: Contents (cyfoethnaturiol.cymru)
What do we need to know about EUTROPHICATION
Eutrophication is the process in which a water body becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to plentiful growth of simple plant life. The excessive growth (or bloom) of algae and plankton in a water body are indicators of this process. Eutrophication is considered to be a serious environmental concern since it often results in the deterioration of water quality and the depletion of dissolved oxygen in water bodies. Eutrophic waters can eventually become “dead zones” that are incapable of supporting life.
click link: Eutrophication- Definition, Causes, Classification, Effects and FAQs on Eutrophication. (byjus.com)
How Does Eutrophication Work? Causes, Process and Examples
click link: How Does Eutrophication Work? Causes, Process and Examples - Earth How
CARE - CWM ARIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY - RIVERS OF LIFE
Thriving waterways support flourishing communities, robust businesses and healthy environments. Yet the life of most of our rivers faces an existential crisis! What are we all going to do about it?
click link (English): RIVERS OF LIFE (cwmarian.org.uk)
click link (Welsh): AFONYDD BYWYD (cwmarian.org.uk)
BBC iPlayer - What's Killing Our Rivers
Rivers in Wales are dying, with sewage, slurry and other pollutants spewing in - but what is the cause, what is the real impact, and where are those whose job it is to protect our rivers? As the clock is ticking and battle lines are drawn, Wyre Davies investigates what and who is to blame.
click link: BBC One - BBC Wales Investigates, What's Killing Our Rivers?
15 eco-friendly cleaning brands to know to get your home sparkling naturally
When it comes to your weekly scrub, have you considered the environmental impact of cleaning chemicals? If not, it might be time to consider switching to more eco-friendly cleaning products.
click link: The best eco-friendly cleaning products for your home (countryliving.com)
Plumbing and drainage misconnections
ConnectRight is the public face of the National Misconnections Strategy Group. It’s a partnership of organisations who are working to reduce water pollution from drains and sewers.
click link: ConnectRight
Collaborative and cross-sector management of the water environment
The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) is an inclusive, civil society-led initiative that works in partnership with Government, Local Authorities, Water Companies, businesses and more, to maximise the natural value of our environment.
CaBA partnerships are actively working in all 100+ river catchments across England and cross-border with Wales, directly supporting achievement of many of the targets under the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.
click link: About CaBA - CaBA (catchmentbasedapproach.org)
Visit one of Severn Trent's sewage outlets into River Derwent
Severn Trent has described what happens toDerby's sewagebefore it is released into the county’s waterways, saying it is taking measures to limit how much it damages the environment.
click link: We visit one of Severn Trent's sewage outlets into River Derwent (msn.com)
New Scientist How can you tell if a river in the UK is healthy?
Pollution isn’t always easy to spot, but public data and some visual clues can give an idea of whether rivers are in a good ecological state, and help you take part in our Save Britain's Rivers campaign
click link: How can you tell if a river in the UK is healthy? | New Scientist
Sewage heroes wade in where Environment Agency has lost muscle
“All it takes for bad stuff to prosper is for ordinary people to do nothing. It’s not an option to do nothing,” said Ashley Smith, 65, who lives near Witney, Oxfordshire, and has emerged as one of the country’s foremost water quality campaigners. He has been running the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution group for five years with about ten people, becoming a persistent critic of Thames Water over its sewage pollution record.
Smith is only one of thousands of concerned citizens who have filled a gap left by the Environment Agency, the regulator for England, which had its funding for environmental protection work cut by more than half between 2010 and 2020.
click link: Sewage heroes wade in where Environment Agency has lost muscle | News | The Times
FreshWater Watch
A global citizen science project developed by environmental charity Earthwatch Europe. It has never been so important to protect our precious freshwater resources. Nearly all freshwater environments are impacted by man-made pollutants and by 2050 half of the world's population will be living in areas of water scarcity. We created theFreshWater Watchproject so that groups all across the globe can easily monitor and protect the health of the rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands and reservoirs upon which we all depend.
click link: FreshWater Watch
WATERBLITZ EVENTS
A WaterBlitz is a FreshWater Watch activity for the whole community. Usually hosted over one weekend, members of the public can sign up to receive a free water testing kit and become citizen scientists by testing a waterbody local to them. The data collected by hundreds of people over this same time period gives us an accurate and comparable snapshot of water health within a region.
click link: WaterBlitz Registration Page (earthwatch.org.uk)
BBC iPlayer - Paul Whitehouse: Our Troubled Rivers
Paul Whitehouse travels around England and Wales looking at the pressures affecting our rivers and waterways from water companies, intensive agriculture and growing population. Paul explores what is going on beneath the surface, why our rivers and waterways are in decline and what needs to be done to protect them. In the first episode, Paul travels through the North of England looking at the impact water companies have on our rivers. He explores the change in the water industry since privatisation in 1989 and what regulations are in place when it comes to sewage discharge into our rivers. He meets concerned locals in Yorkshire looking to highlight the health of the River Wharfe, a conservationist who warns of the ecological decline in iconic Lake Windemere, and the man at the front of the battle for our waterways, Feargal Sharkey. In the second episode Paul continues his journey, travelling to Wales and the south of England. Visiting the River Wye, he sees how explosions of algae, caused by fertiliser runoff from farming, are part of a cocktail overwhelming the habitat.
He travels to Hampshire, where Paul hears about the damage being caused to our rare and precious chalk streams, before discovering how regular sewage discharges on the coast are causing problems for Whitstable’s famous oyster industry. Ending his journey in London, Paul finds a beacon of hope: the £4.4 billion Thames Tideway super sewer.
click link: BBC iPlayer - Paul Whitehouse: Our Troubled Rivers
What's Killing Our [Welsh] Rivers?
Rivers in Wales are dying, with sewage, slurry and other pollutants spewing in - but what is the cause, what is the real impact, and where are those whose job it is to protect our rivers? As the clock is ticking and battle lines are drawn, Wyre Davies investigates what and who is to blame.
click link: BBC One - BBC Wales Investigates, What's Killing Our Rivers?
Bioregional Concept and Creating a River Charter
BLC in South Devon are commited to whole-region revitalization. In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and growing social inequity their work lies in bringing statutory bodies, NGOs, individuals and communities together to find practical ways to work collaboratively towards long-term economic and ecological resilience.
They recognise the importance of Rivers and all aspects of a community and region that is some way involved with the river.
The focus is on is fresh water, because it is such an essential resource for life. To address the challenges of flood, drought and future scarcity BLC decided to explore what a contract between local people and their river would look like.
The River charter gives rights to running water rather than people and organisations. These are not legal but moral rights. They respect and work with all the many ways in which individuals and organisations care for their rivers. At the same time the River Charter gives citizens
and their communities a new role as stewards whose voices are heard.
Read this document on how to Make a River Charter - click link: How to Make a River Charter
WELSH RIVERS UNION
Welsh rivers as a whole have never been under such pressure. The trendlines are clear and we are seeing further degradation of their vital signs and a significant reduction in biodiversity. The Welsh Rivers Unions reason to be is to campaign to turn this around.
click link: Welsh Rivers Union (wru.org.uk)
Better Water Quality for Wales Conference 2023
Three days of presentations available to view here.
click link: Better Water Quality for Wales Conference 2023 – epwales.org.uk
Wetland Ecosystem Treatment - Biologic Design
Jay Abrahams gives a presentation about Bio Logic Design of Wetland Ecosystem Treatment at the community of Tamera in Portugal. http://biologicdesign.co.uk/page.php?... http://www.tamera.org
PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widely-used, man-made chemicals that are likely all around you. They are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down, and they can accumulate in both the environment and the human body. Studies have found that PFAS may cause serious health problems, including cancer.
See this link for more information: PFAS | Water Contamination, Exposure & Cancer Risk (consumernotice.org)
See this link for more information on Health Risks: Health Effects of PFAS | Guide of Chemical Risk (consumernotice.org)
