Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has published new data showing modest improvements in phosphorus levels in Welsh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) rivers, with 50% of waterbodies now meeting targets compared to 39% in 2021. Of the 122 assessed water bodies, 17 improved to passing status while 5 fell out of compliance. Despite these improvements, the number of whole SAC river catchments with non-compliances has increased from five to seven, with the Afon Gwyrfai and Afon Eden rivers now each having one failing water body. This means development restrictions will be applied to the Afon Gwyrfai SAC, while improvements in the River Wye allow restrictions to be lifted in its most downstream section only.
Interim Water Framework Directive classifications show overall water quality remaining steady at 40% of water bodies achieving good or better status. Without the “one out all out” assessment approach, 93% of water bodies would reach good status when evaluating individual elements. Since 2021, significant actions have been taken including the establishment of Nutrient Management Boards, river pollution summits, and NRW’s review of 162 environmental permits. The Welsh Government is committing £16m to NRW’s Water Capital Programme next year, and condition assessments for marine Special Areas of Conservation are expected later this year.
