Launch of the ‘Teifi Demonstrator Catchment’ project
On Friday 24th November, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) launched a new multi-year initiative - the ‘Teifi Demonstrator Catchment’ project. This is a cross-sectoral collaboration project supported by Welsh Government and aimed at improving water management in the Teifi catchment. The launch of the project was marked by a stakeholder engagement event convened by NRW Chair Sir David Henshaw and attended by key partners including the Rivers Trusts, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, the Farming Unions and Local Authorities.
The Teifi is in an unfavourable condition and data suggests that discharges from wastewater treatment works are having a significant impact on the river, in addition to diffuse pollution from agriculture, forestry, and legacy mining. Recent research has indicated that salmonoid fish stocks are in rapid decline, with modelling predicting the species could be lost within the next ten years unless urgent action is taken.
There is already significant work underway throughout the Teifi catchment to improve water quality. This project is about thinking differently and using innovative solutions to make things happen, with focus on how value and additionality can be demonstrated. It is hoped that the work in the Teifi catchment will be used to develop a ‘best practice’ model which can subsequently be replicated across all of Wales’ catchments. This project will form part of the wider holistic approach being taken to improve water quality and riverine ecology.
As member of the Teifi Nutrient Management Board, Pembrokeshire County Council look forward to collaborating with stakeholders on this project.
The project is managed by Jon Goldsworthy and you can read more about what he has to say about it here: