Dwr Cymru criticised for pollution record

Each year, agency officials report on the performance of businesses in Wales and England.

In investigating Welsh Water, it emerged that the utility company had been prosecuted ten times and fined �27,000.

While Welsh Water was criticised in the report, seven other Welsh businesses were praised for their environmental performance.

Four of these seven firms are located in Barry, south Wales, including Dow Corning, Zeon Chemicals and Borden Chemicals, all of which form part of the Barry Chemical Complex.

Meanwhile, BP Chemicals at Baglan Bay near Port Talbot was singled out after reducing sulphur dioxide emissions by 80%.

In response to the report's findings the agency is now calling on Welsh Water to evaluate its pollution-control methods to prevent future problems.

There is no room for complacency. Businesses must understand they have a responsibility to protect the environment.

Roger Thomas, Director of Environment Agency Wales

On one occasion last year the company was fined �5,000 for discharging sewage into a stream next to a children's playing field, which left a trail of faeces and paper according to a consumer magazine investigation.

Although the Environment Agency had already asked Welsh Water to repair the pumping station that was causing the problem, Which? magazine said the company had failed to act.

But a spokesman for Welsh Water said: "Which? misleads its readers by presenting a totally one-sided view.

"It ignores the vast amount of work we have done to clean up the environment resulting in record numbers of Blue Flag beaches and the best quality river water in England and Wales.

"We operate a vast network, and there have been several incidents which we, of course, regret.

"Maintaining our reputation as an environmentally responsible company is what motivates us."

Overall the agency says current regulations are having an impact and Welsh companies are far more aware of the consequences of polluting.

However environmental campaigners argue that they should be tighter still.

Roger Thomas, Director of Environment Agency Wales, said: "There is no room for complacency.

"Businesses must understand they have a responsibility to protect the environment and we will continue to take a tough line against those who are environmentally irresponsible".