The History of the South East Wales Rivers Trust
A number of organisations and groups are working hard to improve our rivers in South East Wales but we need to see the “big picture” and pull together to produce a comprehensive and co-ordinated action plan. This will cover the Rivers Ogmore, Cadoxton Ely, Taff, Rhondda, Rhymney and Ebbw.
This approach will lead to further environmental improvements and boost the local economy through enhanced recreational and tourism opportunities.
South Wales has a long legacy of river pollution, but there have been tangible improvements over the last three decades. Benefits arise to all forms of river life (insects, fish, river birds, otters...), and to the environmental well being of the large number of valleys people who live, work and play in close contact with the region’s rivers. In combination, these features make South East Wales a particularly deserving case for a body like SEWRT. The rivers and valleys are the heart of South East Wales’ heritage.
The main problems we face are litter, pollution as a result of urban run-off, outdated sewerage systems, some industries, and invasive weeds – such as Japanese Knotweed – damaging riverbanks.
An important part of our work is to encourage local communities and schoolchildren to learn about and value their local river, streams and the water environment in general.
A number of organisations and groups are working hard to improve our rivers in South East Wales but we need to see the “big picture” and pull together to produce a comprehensive and co-ordinated action plan. This will cover the Rivers Ogmore, Cadoxton Ely, Taff, Rhondda, Rhymney and Ebbw.
This approach will lead to further environmental improvements and boost the local economy through enhanced recreational and tourism opportunities.
South Wales has a long legacy of river pollution, but there have been tangible improvements over the last three decades. Benefits arise to all forms of river life (insects, fish, river birds, otters...), and to the environmental well being of the large number of valleys people who live, work and spend their leisure time in close contact with the rivers. In combination, these features make South East Wales a particularly deserving case for a body like SEWRT. The rivers and valleys are the heart of South East Wales' heritage.
The main problems we face are litter, pollution as a result of urban run-off, outdated sewerage systems, some industries, and invasive weeds – such as Japanese Knotweed – damaging riverbanks.
An important part of our work is to encourage local communities and schoolchildren to learn about and value their local river, streams and the aquatic environment in general.
The River Taf at Pontypridd
Our future
Despite clear improvements to the rivers of South East Wales over the last 30 years, significant problems persist. Among the most obvious are intermittent sewage outfalls, chemical spills and discharges, pollution from landfill sites, discharges from old mine working, habitat degradation, litter and the dumping of cars. There are also new problems, for example from invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed that damage river banks and out-compete native species. Solutions require partnerships with other organisations, groups and individuals with whom we wish to work.
SEWRT aims to pull together an action plan for the rivers that will prioritise and confront these problems from top to bottom. The trust has already started work on drawing up a list of priority projects – linked to various funding opportunities – that will bring environmental and economic benefits. An important part of our work will be to encourage local communities and school children to learn about and value their local river, streams ands the aquatic environment in general.
