New Figures Show Over 800,000 Hours of Sewage Released into Welsh Waters Last Year

The charity Surfers Against Wastewater has revealed that more than 800,000 hours of sewage were released into rivers, lakes, and seas around Wales last year. According to their analysis of data from Welsh water companies, there were over 100,000 sewage discharges in 2025, averaging more than one every five minutes. This is a decrease from the previous year, which saw over 970,000 hours of sewage discharged.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has intensified its regulatory oversight and provided tougher guidance to water companies, resulting in a “significant environmental investment program.” Despite the decrease in sewage discharges, Surfers Against Sewage highlighted the need for more investment and enforcement.

In its annual review, the agency reported 992 cases of sewage-related illnesses in Wales since 2019, with 215 additional cases expected in 2025. These illness reports led to over 2,200 days of absence. Sewage was discharged into designated bathing areas in Wales for a total of 35,669 hours annually.

One concerning example is Llyn Padarn in Gwynedd, where sewage was discharged for 1,614 hours, despite the lake’s bathing water being classified as ‘excellent’ for quality. While regulations allow limited sewage discharges in heavy rainfall, environmental groups worry about the impact on wildlife and the health risks to swimmers.