The group Save the Teifi continues its call for action regarding the ongoing sewage pollution affecting the lower Teifi river and estuary.

The issue has been a strain on the Cardigan area for more than ten years, with Peter Hammond's 2023 report flagging it as the most severe case of public sewage pollution in Wales.

Save the Teifi has deemed immediate remediation of the Cardigan sewage works urgent and asks for swift completion.

The group insists that any delay requires clear justification and concrete evidence.

They recommend nature-based solutions for the new works and challenge authorities to give convincing reasons if deemed unworkable.

Further robust monitoring and transparency regarding the river, estuary pollution, and Poppit Sands bathing water quality are also demanded.

Contrary to Dŵr Cymru’s claims of no environmental impact, the community reports significant biodiversity and river health decline.

Save the Teifi has also requested the introduction of a Citizen Science Programme by the summer of 2024.

The proposal aims to foster a cooperative relationship between the community and authorities by involving citizens in assessing river health and bathing water quality.

The group criticises Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for failing to regulate or punish unpermitted sewage leakage.

They urge that NRW should be supplied with adequate resources to carry out their duties as nature regulators and protectors.

Executives of Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water and NRW are also targeted by the group, held accountable for the extended recognition period that the Cardigan Sewage Treatment Works needed replacement.

The local community calls for an official apology and a clear, time-bound plan for immediate river and sewage works improvements.

In response, a spokesman for Welsh Water said: "We are aware of the Five Asks and have responded to the Save the Teifi Group in full.

"Plans for the £20m redevelopment of Cardigan wastewater treatment works are advancing and we are working with our supply chain, contractors and regulators to bring forward our plans in the hope we can start ahead of the planned date of April 2025.

"A planning application is due to be submitted in the next couple of months. Any updates will be communicated with the local community.

"We are always sorry for any adverse impact we have on the environment and we intend to fully engage with communities on the Teifi as we deliver our planned investment and play our part in the ambitious Teifi Demonstrator Catchment proposal."