Comment

With constraints on sewerage capacity holding back developments in numerous locations across Pembrokeshire, local MP Stephen Crabb last week travelled to Cardiff for talks with Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water about potential solutions to the problem.

Stephen met with Operations Director, Peter Perry, and Investment Manager, Bob Smith, to discuss his concerns about the number of planning applications being delayed by inadequate local sewerage capacity. They also looked at several ongoing problems relating to existing developments in Pembrokeshire where sewerage continues to leak or cause foul odours.

After discussing the general financial framework in which Dwr Cymru operates and the way it decides on its five year investment plans, they went on to focus on specific Pembrokeshire problems.

The problem of raw sewage occasionally leaking on the village green' in St Dogmael's, near to the Teifi Inn, has been causing problems to residents and tourists alike and Stephen has been working closely with the Community Council to try to get the problem rectified. Following the meeting with Dwr Cymru, Stephen is confident that there is a plan in place to get the pipework corrected in the very near future which should put an end to the leaks.

For years the village of Wolfscastle has been affected by foul odours coming from the local sewerage system. Rev Geoffrey Eynon and the Community Council have worked hard to get the problem addressed. Dwr Cymru assured Stephen that work had been done to prevent the problem but that further action may be necessary.

In the Hook-Llangwm area there is a large problem affecting potential new development because of the constraints on the sewerage system. Major improvement works are required at Hook wastewater treatment works. Dwr Cymru is currently carrying out design work on the £1.5 million scheme and the construction work is due to be completed in time to lift the restrictions to planning in late 2010.

The meeting also covered problems at Dinas Cross, Solva and Clunderwen where sewerage constraints have prevented new developments.

Work is planned for later this year to upgrade the Dinas Cross pumping station and replace the pumping main. However, major investment will still be required to rebuild and enlarge the Wastewater Treatment Works there.

Further investigation is required into the issues at Clunderwen. Meanwhile, the problems at Solva remain complex with no straightforward solution given the nature of the infrastructure and the geography there.

Speaking after the meeting with Dwr Cymru, Stephen said: "It was a very positive meeting and I am hopeful that we will see some progress on a number of the difficult sewerage cases we have seen in Pembrokeshire over the last few years."

"I emphasised strongly to the management that Pembrokeshire's growth must not be held back by the lack of sewerage capacity. I also stressed the importance of ensuring that a number of beauty spots in tourist areas of the county must not continue to suffer sewerage problems."

"I was very impressed by the attitude of the management. I believe that they do take seriously their responsibilities to existing consumers and to the wider community. As a not-for-profit company they re-invest all surplus money back into a customer dividend'. There is obviously a limit to the resources that they have to invest in maintenance and new infrastructure but hopefully, as a result of our meeting, Dwr Cymru will look again at the money being spent in Pembrokeshire and prioritise some of the long-standing problems in our County."

3:08pm Friday 9th May 2008

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