Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has issued an apology following a significant incident involving human sewage contaminating the River Towy in Carmarthen. The contamination was initially reported by coracle fishermen who noticed the sewage around 12:30 AM on May 2, 2026, while paddling through the area. The issue was linked to a burst rising main at a pumping station, which had been leaking for a week prior to the coracle men’s alert.
Contamination Detected by Fishermen
Coracle fishermen, part of the Carmarthen Coracle and Netsmen’s Association, reported seeing lumps of raw sewage and toilet paper in the marshes and flowing in the river. Julie Rees, a representative of the association, shared her observations about the awful smell and the visible contamination. Her husband, Malcolm Rees, noted that solid waste had mostly accumulated in the marsh, exacerbating the odor.
Response from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Immediately upon learning of the situation, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water confirmed that sewage was leaking from a burst pipe. A spokesperson indicated that the contamination was halted on May 3, after repairs were made. Efforts included isolating the faulty pipe and using tankers to manage the flow during repairs.
- Date of Incident: May 2, 2026
- Location: River Towy, Carmarthen, Wales
- Duration of Sewage Leak: Approximately seven days
Concerns Over Environmental Impact
Malcolm Rees raised concerns regarding the monitoring systems in place at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. He emphasized the necessity of tracking all rising mains to prevent further incidents. The fishermen are worried about the implications for local fish stocks, particularly given that coracle fishing is already limited.
Historical Context of Coracle Fishing
The tradition of coracle fishing in the area dates back to Roman times, with strict regulations governing fishing rights. Currently, there are only eight licenses to fish in the River Towy, with just three actively used. These regulations were put in place to protect dwindling fish populations.
- Current Licenses: 8 for the River Towy
- Active Licenses: Approximately 3
Implications for Local Wildlife
The pollution has raised alarms regarding the local aquatic ecosystem. Malcolm Rees noted that while some wildlife was present, there were no sewen, a fish species the fishermen target. The pollution likely disrupted their migration upstream for spawning.
In light of the incident, authorities urge citizens to report pollution cases to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) using their 24-hour incident line. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has stated that they continue to monitor the situation to mitigate any further environmental impact.
