Water
Carmarthenshire stands at a crossroads, and the Welsh Liberal Democrats are making clean rivers a defining campaign issue. After years of sewage dumping and what they describe as weak oversight, the party is calling for urgent political action to protect the Towy, the Gwendraeth, and the county’s treasured coastline. Their proposed “Blue Flag Rivers” initiative sets out a clear challenge to the status quo, positioning the party as the force demanding tougher laws, stronger accountability for water companies, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding local communities, tourism, and wildlife.
Blue Flag Rivers for Carmarthenshire: Liberal Democrats Pledge to End Sewage Scandal
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a bold plan to tackle sewage pollution in Carmarthenshire’s rivers and coastlines, promising to clean up waterways with a new “Blue Flag Rivers” initiative.
Under the proposals, rivers across Carmarthenshire — including the River Towy— would be granted a special legal status, mirroring the Blue Flag scheme for beaches, with legally binding targets to ensure waters are safe for swimming, wildlife, and local communities.
• Ban on Sewage in Protected Waters: Immediate legislation to prohibit sewage discharges into bathing waters and protected rivers such as the Towy, which runs through Carmarthen and is central to local life.
• Blue Flag Rivers: New legal designation with strict standards for water quality, ensuring rivers like the Gwendraeth are safe for recreation, fishing, and nature.
• Accountability for Water Companies: Stronger monitoring of sewage dumps, clear reduction targets, and tougher enforcement to end what the party calls “toothless regulation.”
• Marine & River Protections: Expansion of Marine Protected Areas along Carmarthenshire’s coastline, including Cefin Sidan Sands, contributing to the UK-wide target of 50% coverage by 2030.
Context & Urgency
In 2021, Dŵr Cymru discharged sewage into bathing water rivers in Wales 7,888 times, lasting more than 63,000 hours. Carmarthenshire’s rivers — vital for tourism, angling, and community recreation — have been repeatedly polluted, damaging local businesses and wildlife.
Afonni Baner Las ar gyfer Sir Gâr: Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn Addo Diwedd i'r Sgandal Carthffosiaeth
Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru wedi cyflwyno cynllun beiddgar i fynd i’r afael â llygredd carthffosiaeth yn afonydd ac arfordiroedd Sir Gâr, gan addo glanhau dyfrffyrdd drwy fentrau newydd o’r enw “Afonni Baner Las”.
O dan y cynigion, byddai afonydd ledled Sir Gâr — gan gynnwys Afon Tywi — yn cael statws cyfreithiol arbennig, yn adlewyrchu cynllun Baner Las ar gyfer traethau, gyda thargedau cyfreithiol rhwymol i sicrhau bod y dyfroedd yn ddiogel ar gyfer nofio, bywyd gwyllt a chymunedau lleol.
• Gwahardd Carthffosiaeth mewn Dyfroedd Gwarchodedig
•Deddfwriaeth ar unwaith i wahardd gollwng carthffosiaeth i ddyfroedd ymolchi ac afonydd gwarchodedig fel yr Afon Tywi, sy’n rhedeg trwy Gaerfyrddin ac sy’n greiddiol i fywyd lleol.
• Afonni Baner Las : Dynodiad cyfreithiol newydd gyda safonau llym ar gyfer ansawdd dŵr, gan sicrhau bod afonydd fel y Gwendraeth yn ddiogel ar gyfer hamdden, pysgota a natur.
• Atebolrwydd i Gwmnïau Dŵr : Monitro cryfach o ddympio carthffosiaeth, targedau clir ar gyfer lleihau, a gorfodaeth llymach i roi diwedd ar yr hyn y mae’r blaid yn ei alw’n “reoleiddio di-ddannedd”.
• Diogelu’r Môr ac Afonydd : Ehangu Ardaloedd Morol Gwarchodedig ar hyd arfordir Sir Gâr, gan gynnwys Traethau Cefn Sidan, gan gyfrannu at darged y DU o 50% o gwmpas erbyn 2030.
Cyd-destun ac Argyfwng
Yn 2021, gollyngodd Dŵr Cymru garthffosiaeth i afonydd dyfroedd ymolchi yng Nghymru 7,888 o weithiau, gan bara dros 63,000 o oriau. Mae afonydd Sir Gâr — sy’n hanfodol ar gyfer twristiaeth, pysgota a gweithgareddau cymunedol — wedi cael eu llygru dro ar ôl tro, gan niweidio busnesau lleol a bywyd gwyllt.
Our rivers are the pride of Carmarthenshire — from the Towy to families enjoying Cefin Sidan beach. Yet year after year, sewage has been dumped into these waters, threatening our health, our wildlife, and our local economy. The Liberal Democrats’ plan will finally hold water companies to account and give Carmarthenshire the clean rivers we deserve.
Justin Griffiths, lead candidate Sir Gaefyrddin