Following a visit to Welsh Water’s Betws-y-Coed sewage treatment site by Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, she is calling on constituents and the Welsh Government to join with her in helping Welsh Water and the environment by taking two steps:
- Stop flushing cotton buds and wipes
- Where possible, stop using cotton buds and wipes
Janet said:
“Since the discharge of waste into the Llugwy River last May, and concerns being raised by local constituents, I have been working with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales to establish whether there was a detrimental impact on the environment, and that measures are in place to avoid such a situation occurring again.
“Whilst I am satisfied that the impact on ecology was minor, and that Welsh Water are using their best endeavours to ensure that sewage doesn’t have a negative impact in the future, I was left shocked during my recent visit to the works in Betws-y-Coed.
“What I learnt is that the sewage works, serving under 2,000 properties in the area, removes around one black bin worth of cotton buds and wipes from waste every day.
“Alarmingly, Welsh Water are dealing with around 2,000 sewer blockages every month in Wales – major causes of which are cotton buds and wipes. More so, as I know from the beach cleans I have been hosting with the Marine Conservation Society, both these items pose a threat to marine life and the environment.
“I appreciate that many people are careful in how they use toilets, but it is clear that we all need think before we flush so that cotton buds and wipes end up in our own bins, or where possible, not used at all”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Question to Lesly Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs:
Will the Cabinet Secretary state what action the Welsh Government is taking to encourage residents not to flush wipes and cotton buds, and explain whether she would be willing to cooperate with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales so to promote the message across Wales?
Notes
Avoiding Drainage Problems - Let's Stop The Block
Photo:
Janet Finch-Saunders AM with representatives of Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales at the Betws-y-Coed sewage treatment site.