Today, James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon & Radnorshire, undertook a site visit to Brecon Treatment works to oversee the progress being made on the £9m worth of investment into improving onsite operations. Upgrades will help increase the capacity of the treatment works to accommodate future growth within the area and reduce the amount of phosphorous from the treated wastewater before it is then returned safely back to the environment.
Commenting on today’s visit, James said.
“It was a pleasure to be invited by Welsh Water to inspect the progress being made to modernise Brecon Treatment Plant. The £9m being invested will help reduce phosphate levels in the nearby river Usk – which in turn will benefit the river quality, its aquatic life and broader public health.”
James goes on to say.
“An assessment of the River Usk found that 88% of the river’s water bodies failed to meet the required target and within the River Wye, 67% failed to meet the required target. Despite 339 new homes being built in Powys last year, residential development in the Wye and Usk valley area are currently restricted due to the heightened presence of phosphate in the River Wye and Usk. Further new developments could increase phosphates that pollute our rivers and make our environment dangerous for public health. This is why, work to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure needs to be done if developments in these areas are to proceed.”
James is grateful to Welsh Water for inviting him to visit the treatment plant and will continue to be briefed about its progress ahead of its planned completion in 2024.
