Restoring Welsh Rivers summit - report
The crisis facing Wales’ rivers was the focus of a national summit hosted by the Church in Wales.
More than 90 people from across the UK, including scientists, farmers, environmentalists and water industry representatives came together to discuss the challenges facing watercourses in Wales and to look at ways of improving water quality.
The Restoring Welsh Rivers summit, chaired by the Archbishop of Wales, was held on November 7-8, in Cardiff, just before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) and Wales Climate Week.
The Archbishop Andrew John said, "I was very pleased that so many organisations attended and engaged fully with the sessions. One thing we all agreed on was that the situation we are facing right now isn’t sustainable. We have to change the way we look after our rivers and their ecosystems for the benefit of all of us. I hope the outcome of this summit will be to inspire change and help restore our rivers."
The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, attended part of the summit meeting and addressed the gathering. She emphasized the importance of a practical approach to environmental issues. She suggested focusing on fewer projects but doing them well, rather than trying to tackle too many issues at once with limited resources. She invited the summit to submit a list of key actions to the Welsh Government.
The summit discussed several main topics related to improving river health and water quality in Wales. These included:
- Using nature-based solutions to reduce pollution at its source;
- Introducing agricultural regulations to prevent harmful run-off into rivers;
- Encouraging collaboration between communities, farmers, and local authorities to manage river basins;
- Raising public awareness to drive local action;
- Strengthening policies and enforcement to ensure laws are followed.
One of the panelists, Fergus O’Brien from Welsh Water, highlighted that the company would be investing £2.5bn over the next five years to improve water quality. However, he pointed out that money alone wouldn’t solve the issue.
Participants called for better funding for farming programmes that promote sustainability and stronger leadership to ensure new policies are successfully put into action.
The overall message of the summit was that working together, being innovative, and having a clear, well-funded plan were essential for restoring and protecting Wales' rivers for the future.
A range of actions and suggestions are being prepared and will be circulated as part of the response to the summit.
Photo gallery
Restoring Welsh Rivers summit
View the ProgrammeOrganisations on the panels
Session 1: Presenting the science
Dr Alison Caffyn (researcher on rural issues)
Session 2: Water quality and quantity
Session 3: Soil and agriculture
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
Session 4: Nature-based Solutions
Session 5: Food and Water
Tell us your story
We invited more than 90 people and organisations to the Restoring Welsh Rivers summit but we know there are many more of you with an interest in our waterways. So if you are concerned about water quality, have ideas to share or would like to be involved in future discussions, please get in touch and let us know.
We won’t share your email address or comments with anyone else, without first asking you.
A prayer for rivers
