Want to Help Restore Welsh Rivers?
Join Afonydd Cymru’s Board of Trustees…..
Chief Executive Blog – August 2024
What have Ofwat and the Olympics got in common? Both have shown the size of task ahead in cleaning up rivers …
Welsh Government Takes Significant Step In Reducing Nutrient Pollution
A review of all land spreading…..
Another fall in Welsh Water’s environmental performance
But the water company hangs on to its 2-star status…..
Big Water Bills Projected For Wales
But increases must be matched by a step change in improvements for rivers…..
Slurry Stores: A Ticking Time Bomb For Welsh Rivers?
The recent prosecution in West Wales raises some important questions…..
OEP Report Confirms Concerns Over Chemicals
Welsh rivers cannot continue to be compared favourably with England…..
New Report Into Road Runoff
Another source of pollution is back on the agenda, yet we still do not know the extent of its impact on Welsh rivers…..
2023 Storm Overflow Data – Beyond The Headlines
Important differences in Wales have once again been overlooked…..
Will The Sustainable Farming Scheme Help Rivers?
The latest consultation ends today but will SFS help create healthy rivers?
New Agricultural Regulation Team For Wales
On the face of it, potentially good news for Welsh rivers….
Chief Executive Blog – December 2023
Focus has been on water companies, it is now time for other sectors to step up….
New Report Shows More Welsh Water Wastewater Failure
An investigation has exposed the full extent of permit breaches….
Ditching Manure Licence A Step Backwards For Rivers
Welsh Government delivers a blow against river water quality improvement
Dr Graeme Harris (1945-2023)
Everyone at Afonydd Cymru were saddened to hear the of recent passing of Graeme Harris….
Coming Soon – The Big River Watch!
A new app to record the health of the rivers across the UK and Ireland….
Chief Executive Blog – September 2023
The time has come to adopt the Habitats Regulations directly into Welsh law….
IFM Sea Trout Symposium, 12th & 13th September
A variety of specialists will be presenting on this important fish species….
Silence From Welsh Government Over AD Pollution
We are still awaiting a response four months after expressing concerns….
Welsh Water Downgraded For Its Environmental Performance
The water company receives its second successive downgrade from Natural Resources Wales….
Latest Welsh Water Report Glosses Over Poor Environmental Performance
Water company misses all its 2022/23 environmental commitments….
New Report Highlights Limitations Of Sewer Overflow Monitoring
Although the situation in Wales maybe about to improve….
Desperate Plight Of Welsh Salmon and Sewin Raised In Senedd
Debate held on the parlous situation for these vital fish species…..
Much Needed New Approach To Agricultural Regulation Delayed Again
Further delays were announced by Welsh Government last week…..
Change In Forestry Policy Needed To Save Salmon & Sewin
Forestry policy in Wales is still being driven predominantly by commercial and carbon offsetting considerations…..
Chief Executive Blog – Spring 2023
Latest report on salmon and sewin shows the need for drastic change….
Welsh Water 2022 Sewage Discharge Data Published
Spills from the water company’s sewer overflows appear down on 2021 but does that tell us the full story?
Stop Anaerobic Digester Pollution of Rivers
Afonydd Cymru and Fish Legal have called on Welsh Government to review the anaerobic digester industry ….
Regulators & water companies scrutinised by Select Committee
NRW, Ofwat, Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy’s appearance in Westminster yesterday….
Second Phosphorus Summit: Our Summary
Afonydd Cymru’s views of the summit and the progress being made to resolve excessive nutrients in our rivers ….
Second Summit on Phosphorus Pollution in Wales
Afonydd Cymru’s CEO, Gail Davies-Walsh will be attending to see what progress has been made since last July ….
Welsh Water’s Plans To Reduce Phosphorus Entering Rivers
The water company is following the First Minister’s request for each sector to “own” its share of the problem….
2023 Must See A Step Change For Welsh Rivers
An end of year message from our CEO, Gail Davies-Walsh…
Ofwat’s Big Opportunity To Help Rivers In Wales
In her latest blog post, our CEO argues that the next six months will be critical in influencing Ofwat’s plans …
NRW Core Management Plans For Rivers Not Fit For Purpose
Afonydd Cymru voice concerns to Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales
NRW Acknowledge Poultry Industry Is Damaging The Wye
NRW appear to be accepting that the industry’s expansion has had adverse effects on a protected river
Second River Water Quality Summit Announced By Welsh Government
Welcome news but overall progress since the first summit has been slow
New Project Launched To Connect People With Water Environments
We are supporting CCWater in their brand new initiative
Another Delay?
Written statement by Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs, on Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution)(Wales) Regulations 2021.
Wales Must Stand Firm If Environmental Laws In England Are Weakened
Welsh Government’s chance to show their environmental credentials
Will The New Welsh Agriculture Bill Help Rivers?
New legislation was announced in Wales today but it is perhaps too soon to say whether it will deliver anything for rivers
Extra Reservoir Releases Announced To Help West Wales Rivers
Welcome news for the ecology and fish populations in two important rivers….
The Emerging Drought In Wales – Is Enough Being Done To Protect Rivers?
It is not just water companies who could do more to ensure rivers keep flowing….
Solving Phosphorus Pollution – First Minister Issues Statement
A statement issued this week is another step in the right direction in tackling some of the major issues facing Welsh rivers….
Trustee Vacancies
We are looking for two new Trustees and are especially interested in hearing from anyone with an accountancy or citizen science background……
First Minister Holds Summit On Excessive Phosphorus In Rivers
And says that all sectors must face up to and resolve their contribution to the problem…
Nutrient Neutrality ““ a long term perspective?
Afonydd Cymru’s CEO Gail Davies-Walsh on the concept of “nutrient neutrality” and how it relates to rivers in Wales….
Conservation Groups Welcome Natural Resources Wales’s Support of Measures to Protect Salmon and Sea Trout
A joint statement has been released today…
Latest Phosphorus Source Modelling Published for Four Welsh SAC Rivers
Results from the latest SAGIS modelling have been released this week, along with two other important reports…
Plight of Rivers Becoming a Priority For Welsh Government?
Gail Davies-Walsh has met Julie James SM, Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change to discuss the problems affecting rivers in Wales…
Latest on Welsh Government’s Efforts to Control Agricultural Pollution in Wales
Lesley Griffiths SM, Minister for Rural Affairs gave evidence to the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee last week …
Celebrate World Fish Migration Day in South Wales
World Fish Migration Day is a global celebration held every two years to highlight the importance of the world’s migratory fish and their dependence on free-flowing rivers without barriers …
Restoring Ecology in the Afon Elan
The Wye & Usk Foundation have completed the latest stage of their project to restore a river in mid-Wales …
Eels In The Classrooms of South East Wales
An initiative to teach pupils in South East Wales about the lifecycle of this amazing fish gets underway next week …
River Water Quality Survey Results Published
The results from a recent survey by water consumer group CCW were published today …
Esmee Fairbairn To Support Afonydd Cymru’s Work
Afonydd Cymru was last week awarded a £180,000 grant from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation …
Welsh River Trusts Learn How To Design Wetlands
Afonydd Cymru have been hosting a wetland design training course in Talgarth this week for Welsh river trust staff …
Welsh Water Publish 2021 CSO Data
Welsh Water have today published CSO data for 2021 …
North Wales Rivers Trust Operations Manager Vacancy
An exciting opportunity to become part of the Rivers Trust movement in Wales …
A Win For Welsh Rivers?
A Judicial Review of the new rules for agriculture in Wales has been dismissed by the High Court …
Wye Pollution Featured Across the BBC Last Weekend
Latest BBC coverage of water quality problems in the river Wye …
Cardiff School Fundraising Initiative
Afonydd Cymru had the great pleasure of visiting Herbert Thompson Primary School in Cardiff last week …
River pollution: Shake-up call for investigations in Wales
River groups have called for a review of how water pollution incidents are investigated in Wales …
Environmental Audit Committee publishes report on Water Quality in Rivers
Afonydd Cymru have been challenging the performance of CSOs in Wales …
Challenging Performance of Combined Sewer Overflows
Afonydd Cymru have been challenging the performance of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) in Wales …
Senedd Inquiry: 2021 Slurry Regulations
On 9th June 2021 the Senedd decided to review the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution)(Wales) Regulations 2021 …
River Restoration Webinar
We have presented at the River Restoration webinar with Natural Resources Wales and other heritage bodies across Wales. This is an important partnership …
Customer Challenge Group on Welsh Water
We have met Welsh Government this week as part of our role on the Customer Challenge Group on Welsh Water. We will continue to challenge NRW and DCWW …
Meeting Woodland Trust Wales and Rivers Trust
Afonydd Cymru held a partnership meeting with the Woodland Trust Wales and the Rivers Trust to explore woodland creation planting opportunities for Wales …
Visit to Norfolk Rivers Trust Wetland Sites
Afonydd Cymru were happy to support the Wye and Usk Foundation, Welsh Water and Herefordshire Council in a visit to existing wetland sites developed and delivered by Norfolk Rivers Trust …
The State of the River Usk Report
Afonydd Cymru have published the State of the River Usk report, authored by Guy Mawle, an Independent Fisheries Consultant with a distinguished career in fisheries …
Gail Davies-Walsh our new Chief Exec
I am delighted to announce that following a competitive process Gail has been appointed to lead the umbrella body for the Rivers Trust movement in Wales …
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE
It is with very deep regret that we must announce the sad death of Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE …