22-Aug-2006
- New figures show the quality of rivers across
Wales remains high, Environment Agency Wales said
today. The Agency's latest annual assessment,
for 2005, shows a slight improvement in the key
indicator of water chemistry, with 95% of rivers
being classified as 'very good' or 'good' compared
to 94% in the previous year.
Results for water biology, another
key indicator, show 80% as ‘very good’ or ‘good’
compared with 79% in 2004.
Nutrient levels are still ‘very
low’ or ‘low’ in a large proportion of rivers.
Less than 1% of our rivers in 2005 were reported
to have high levels of nitrate, and phosphate
levels were high in 9% of rivers, 1% more than
in 2004.
Chris Mills, Director Wales,
said:
‘The results show that in many
respects water quality in Wales is excellent,
with 95% of rivers chemically classified as ‘good’
or ‘very good’. Since 2000, the proportion in
the ‘very good’ class has improved from 67% to
76% as a result of investment in sewage treatment
and work on diffuse pollution funded by the Welsh
Assembly Government.’
‘But we cannot be complacent.
These improvements in water chemistry are not
yet reflected by improvements in river biology.
We believe this is mainly because of diffuse inputs
including pesticides such as sheep dip chemicals.
We will continue to work with the farming community,
industry, the public and others to tackle the
risks and impacts of pollution.‘
The full findings of the Environment
Agency's latest General Quality Assessment (GQA)
of rivers in England and Wales can be found on
the Agency's website at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/water/213902/river_qual/?version=1&lang=_e
The latest GQA data will be
incorporated into the website 'What's in your
backyard' search pages by early September, allowing
web users to search water quality by postcode
or town.
Martin Watkins
