The Environment Agency Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government have announced ambitious plans to improve all waterways in Wales by 2015 and return them to a "near natural" condition by 2027.
They aim to ensure water companies, farming groups, industry and councils work together to tackle pollution.
They aim to ensure water companies, farming groups, industry and councils work together to tackle pollution.
Here are some recent water quality findings from the Environment Agency website:
- Biological quality - an indicator of overall 'health' of rivers
"88% of Welsh rivers were of good or excellent quality - again, the best on record, compared with 79% in 1990".
- Chemical quality - an indicator of organic pollution in general
"95% of Welsh rivers were of good or better quality, up from 86% in 1990".
- Nutrient status - phosphate and nitrate in rivers
"In 2008, 51% of English rivers had high concentrations of phosphate compared with 69% in 1990. High concentrations of nitrate were found in 32% of English rivers in 2008 compared with 36% in 1995".
"8.5% of Welsh rivers had high concentrations of phosphate in 2008, compared 26% in 1990. High concentrations of nitrate rarely occur in Welsh rivers".
It sounds like great news for Welsh rivers, wildlife, anglers and other water sport enthusiasts if all of the proposed plans are effective.
The implications are huge especially for rivers where overflow pipes, agricultural run off and sewage can be a problem during and after heavy rain fall.
So what condition is your local river in? Does it support a good eco-system or is it in dire need of a clean up? I'd love to hear your views and comments.
You can read more about this story on BBC News online.
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