Pembrokeshire: Wiseman's Bridge beach sewage warning

Beach users have been warned about suspected sewage pollution in a popular tourist area of Pembrokeshire.

It has affected Wiseman's Bridge, between Saundersfoot and Amroth. The beach remains open.

Pembrokeshire council said it could affect bathing water quality, with an increased risk of infection.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it was investigating three pollution incidents in Pembrokeshire following heavy overnight rain on Tuesday.

It comes after campaigners said water companies and the Welsh government have a duty to protect public health from sewage overflows.

Jonathan Paul Lewis, from Merthyr Tydfil, has a caravan in Saundersfoot, and said: "I've got two young children, I spend a lot of time on the beach.

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"I spend a lot of time in the water, paddle boarding, especially around this area and I'm concerned about my children getting ill and wondering what's out there in the water really.

Jonathan Paul Lewis said: "I think I'll go to the beach but I don't know if I'll go right in to the sea."

"We're down for quite a few days and we spend most of our time in the water so yeah, it's quite worrying. If the children are ill in the next couple of days, I won't know where to start looking really."

NRW said it was notified by Welsh Water about permitted sewage overflows in Wiseman's Bridge, Kilgetty and Stackpole affecting "water quality downstream".

"We issue permits to allow sewers to overflow during heavy rain," NRW said, "particularly where there is a risk that the volume of water could overwhelm the wastewater network and impact homes and property."

Janet and Peter James from Saundersfoot said they will still be going on the beach, but are taking extra care.

"We've walked across the beach. We probably weren't planning on swimming today and we probably wouldn't swim today just for caution."

Janet and Peter James says it's "always concerning but we do know all about it and it hasn't kept us off the beach"

Edwin Morris, from Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, is a regular visitor to the beach, and has "never seen a sign like that before."

He said: "It obviously is a concern but life is a risk, so wash your hands and don't drink sea water too much.

"We're here often, we think it's very beautiful," says Edwin Morris

"It hasn't stopped us doing anything, we're so delighted to enjoy this wonderful weather and the wonderful scenery." 

Jess Parker and Seb Smith from Penrhiwceiber, Rhondda Cynon Taf, went into the sea with their dogs.

"We've got a caravan in New Hedges with my parents so I do come down quite often.

"My parents were just discussing that back when they were younger, there's been a few incidents," say Jess Parker and Seb Smith 

"No funny smells, no, nothing, it was the same as it always is." 

Welsh Water is currently consulting on a 25-year plan to prevent combined sewer overflows (CSOs), where sewage is released into the environment to prevent it from backing up into peoples' homes.

Margaret Caroline Rees works in an ice cream cabin at the beach.

She said: "There were people in the sea yesterday and this morning.

"The locals seem to be [worried], I had a lady come up this morning asking about it and she was a bit anxious about it."

"It was a bit quiet yesterday but I can't see anybody would've known about it really." 

Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) Samuel Kurtz said: "This is an incredibly concerning situation - we cannot have sewage pollution in our waterways.

"Whatever the cause of this pollution incident, sewage negatively affects the quality of our bathing waters, increasing infection risk while also affecting wildlife. Whilst the beach remains open, people must take extra care."

Despite the warning, children were seen playing in the sea at Wiseman's Bridge

He also called for NRW and the Welsh government to take action.

A spokesperson from NRW said: "Keeping rivers and bathing waters clean and safe for people and wildlife is an important part of the work that we do."

It said the pollution issue was "currently being resolved", adding will "continue to challenge the water companies to make sure storm overflows are properly controlled".

NRW said it will investigate and take enforcement action where appropriate.

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