Praise to Community During Water Crisis
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy has thanked all those who provided support during the Conwy County water crisis.
This past week, Conwy County has faced an unprecedented challenge, as around 40,000 homes were left without water. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water are now reporting that the 900km network has been refilled and supplies restored.
In addition to thanking all those who helped in response to the emergency, Mrs Finch-Saunders has highlighted that there must be serious lessons learnt by Welsh Water, the Welsh Government, and Natural Resources Wales.
Commenting on the crisis, Janet said:
“First, I want to thank every single resident for their extraordinary resilience and patience throughout this crisis. Despite the immense challenges, your community spirit has shone through. The offers of help and kind words of gratitude to those assisting have been truly heartwarming. Aberconwy once again proves that its people are its greatest strength.
“I also want to extend my personal thanks to everyone who stepped up immediately. This includes those who worked tirelessly to hand out and deliver bottled water to vulnerable residents, as well as those who kept us informed with vital updates on social media.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dŵr Cymru, Conwy County Borough Council, North Wales Police, emergency services, and volunteers for organising water deliveries. Gratitude also goes to residents, elected members, spiritual leaders, community groups, and businesses who selflessly supported those in need. A special thanks to NHS staff and carers for their unwavering dedication and to local retailers and hospitality businesses for their patience despite significant challenges.
“I am deeply disappointed by the Welsh Government’s absence during this crisis, with no support or message of solidarity from the First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS. The statement from two of her Cabinet Secretaries was only made on Saturday, and highlighted that no attempt had been made to ask armed forces for support.
“The formal distribution of water, arranged by Welsh Water, has been chaotic. I know of residents on the priority list who have not received any from the water company, and the whole idea of only having to water stations for use by 40,000 households can only be described as madness.
“Natural Resources Wales have serious questions to answer too. Despite river levels being high, they were unable to give me and farmers a clear message that water could be pumped from watercourses. In a crisis situation like this, the immediate answer should have been yes, do what is necessary to keep your livestock healthy.
“I commend my colleague Darren Millar MS for his active support and practical help across our constituencies. Both of us will be raising serious concerns about emergency planning and response in the Senedd this week”.
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o Senedd Cymru dros Aberconwy, wedi diolch i bawb a roddodd gymorth yn ystod yr argyfwng dŵr yng Nghonwy.
Wythnos diwethaf, wynebodd Sir Conwy sefyllfa eithriadol pan adawyd tua 40,000 o gartrefi heb ddŵr. Mae Dŵr Cymru bellach yn dweud bod y rhwydwaith 900km wedi cael ei ail-lenwi a’r cyflenwad wedi ei adfer.
Yn ogystal â diolch i bawb fu’n rhoi help llaw wrth ymateb i'r argyfwng, mae Mrs Finch-Saunders wedi tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod rhaid i Dŵr Cymru, Llywodraeth Cymru a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru dysgu gwersi reit ddifrifol.
Wrth sôn am yr argyfwng, dywedodd Janet:
"Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddiolch i bob un preswylydd am eu gwytnwch a'u hamynedd rhyfeddol drwy gydol yr argyfwng hwn. Er gwaethaf yr heriau aruthrol, mae eich ysbryd cymunedol wedi disgleirio. Mae'r cymorth a estynnwyd a’r geiriau caredig o ddiolch i bawb fu’n helpu wedi bod yn eli cynhesol i’r galon. Mae Aberconwy unwaith eto wedi profi mai ei phobl yw ei chryfder mwyaf.
"Hoffwn ddiolch yn fawr iawn i bawb wnaeth gamu i'r adwy ar unwaith. Mae hyn yn cynnwys pobl a fu’n gweithio’n ddiflino i ddosbarthu dŵr potel i breswylwyr bregus, yn ogystal â'r rhai a fu’n ein hysbysu am y newyddion diweddaraf o’r cyfryngau cymdeithasol.
"Rwyf am ddiolch o galon i Dŵr Cymru, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy, Heddlu Gogledd Cymru, y gwasanaethau brys a’r gwirfoddolwyr am drefnu cyflenwadau dŵr. Mae ein diolch hefyd i breswylwyr, aelodau etholedig, arweinwyr ysbrydol, grwpiau cymunedol, a busnesau a gefnogodd bobl mewn angen yn ddiarbed. Diolch arbennig i staff a gofalwyr y GIG am eu hymroddiad diwyro ac i fanwerthwyr lleol a busnesau lletygarwch am eu hamynedd er gwaethaf heriau sylweddol.
"Rwy'n siomedig iawn fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn absennol yn ystod yr argyfwng hwn, heb unrhyw gymorth na neges o gefnogaeth gan y Prif Weinidog, Eluned Morgan AS. Roedd hi’n ddydd Sadwrn cyn i ni gael datganiad gan ddau Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a gwelwyd yn glir na wnaed yr un ymdrech i ofyn i'r lluoedd arfog am gefnogaeth.
"Roedd y gwaith ffurfiol o ddosbarthu dŵr, a drefnwyd gan Dŵr Cymru, yn gwbl anhrefnus. Rwy'n ymwybodol bod trigolion ar y rhestr flaenoriaeth heb dderbyn unrhyw ddŵr gan y cwmni dŵr, ac roedd y sefyllfa o gael dim ond dwy orsaf ddŵr ar gyfer 40,000 o aelwydydd yn gwbl wallgof.
"Mae gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru gwestiynau difrifol i'w hateb hefyd. Er bod lefelau afonydd yn uchel, doedden nhw ddim yn gallu rhoi ateb clir i minnau a’r ffermwyr y gellid pwmpio dŵr o gyrsiau dŵr. Mewn sefyllfa argyfwng fel hyn, dylid rhoi ateb cadarnhaol ar unwaith fel bod modd gwneud beth bynnag sydd ei angen i gadw da byw yn iach.
"Rwy'n canmol fy nghyd-Aelod Darren Millar AS am ei gefnogaeth weithredol a'i gymorth ymarferol ar draws ein hetholaethau. Bydd y ddau ohonom yn lleisio’r pryderon difrifol hyn am gynlluniau argyfwng ac ymateb brys yn y Senedd yr wythnos hon".
DIWEDD
