High Levels of E. Coli Found Near Bronaber Sewage Works
Recent tests from the Bronaber Works have shown alarmingly high levels of E. coli at over 10,000 CFU per 100 ml. Originating from a suspected sewage overflow pipe from a discontinued reed bed system. Raising serious environmental and health concerns. This is far above the acceptable threshold for good water quality.
The Context
The water is currently feeding into a river designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), home to several key species. The high contamination levels pose a severe threat to this delicate ecosystem as well as the land and cattle.
Despite these alarming findings, our attempts to report this to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have been met with disappointing responses. The NRW hotline assured us that all test results were good, showing no E. coli and no issues on site. Similarly, Dŵr Cymru claimed that they had no pipes in the area and they could neither confirm or deny if they had pipes immediately where the leak was identified. Dwr Cymru lab tests reported results to be 'earthy and clean.' We have asked for clarification on the nature of these scientific tests to ascertain what earthy and clean may mean in this particular context.
The Reality
Contrary to these claims, our tests paint a very different picture. E. coli levels in the Bronaber Works water are over 10,000 CFU per 100 ml, significantly higher than the EPA's recommended levels for recreational water, which should not exceed 235 CFU per 100 ml for a single sample.
Immediate Concerns
Our CEO, Laura, has been on site numerous times every week to monitor and test the water with the landowner. Cattle and sheep are drinking from this contaminated source, risking their health and further spreading contamination. The potential environmental impact on the SSSI SAC river and its key species cannot be overstated.
Call for Further Action
Given the severity of the situation, we are calling for immediate action:
Investigate the Source: We want NRW and Dwr Cmru to immediately conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify contamination sources. This includes:
Inspecting the old clay outflow pipe and reed beds.
Checking for leaks and ascertaining the source of the Ecoli
Immediately capping any leaks and stopping the flow of sewage sludge particles and ecoli into the river and surrounding land.
The water quality reports we have received to date from NRW show low bacteria levels and they note naturally occurring Iron oxide only. NRW test results have come back as 0 for Ecoli.
The Dwr Cymru scientific reporting to NRW states that the water tested is ‘ earthy and clean’ and they communicated to us there was no evidence there is a leaking pipe or that they have any pipes in this area. Which contradicts our own detailed investigations of this site and the old sewage works and reed beds. We have requested the scientific test and results under an EOI but we require immediate action to stop this contamination.
We will continue to push for the immediate stop to this leak and to ascertain the source to ensure this does not happen again. We are now 28 days in since it was first reported and we are extremely concerned about the impact on the land and river.
** Update:
Since our previous communication with NRW, who confirmed that Dŵr Cymru had found no issues, we have been informed that Dŵr Cymru has now taken samples for analysis and will be deploying cameras on site this coming Monday, 13th May. NRW has confirmed that they will also visit the site next week after Dŵr Cymru completes their own investigations.
22/05/24: NWRT is disappointed that we have not received any official lab results from NRW or Dŵr Cymru regarding the leak. We have now sent our own samples (pictured below) to an accredited lab to ensure there are no imminent dangers to the wildlife in the river. Almost 22 days since our initial report, we are unsure what measures have been taken, but as of today (22/05), the suspected pipe is still leaking from the ground and remains unfixed. We have asked NRW and Dŵr Cymru for an update. We have also noted that the filtration tanks have been switched off and have not received a response or explanation for this.
27/05/24: NWRT lab results have returned with readings over 10,000 for E. coli per 100ml. This is extremely high. The lab was unable to complete further tests due to the high level of sediment (we think sewage sludge particles) in the sample. NRW still claims there are no identified issues on site or the surrounding area by Dŵr Cymru and their own investigations. Dŵr Cymru notes that dye and CCTV investigations have shown no issues with the works. We will continue to apply pressure for a full and thorough investigation.
28/05/24: NRW has confirmed they have now been back on site taking new samples. Dŵr Cymru is claiming all samples are "earthy and clean." NWRT has asked what tests gave the results "earthy and clean." We have yet to receive a response.
03/06/24: NRW is now on site with Dŵr Cymru investigating the site for potential issues. NRW’s new results now show over 55,000 for E. coli. Dŵr Cymru is still claiming clean results. NRW cites agricultural/groundwater and natural occurrences as the cause.
05/06/24: NWRT was back on site to see the trenches Dŵr Cymru had dug after receiving reports of no issues at the site. The NWRT found that the leak had mysteriously dried up. The team dug the outside perimeter back to what we think is a layer of sewage sludge—to the fence line where it sits as a thick layer coming from the ground. This disproves the issue is coming from the surrounding area. We noted vast sewage fungus on the adjacent stream running into the Eden after an NRW social media comment claiming no issues and stating inaccurate information. We returned home to post the sewage fungus on our socials to point out the continued issues we feel are not being acted upon.
06/06/24: NRW revealed that on Monday the 3rd, investigations revealed a collapsed pipe above the works leaking untreated sewage for some time into the stream entering the Eden. We also received a Dŵr Cymru report citing no issues at the works and identifying agriculture as the potential issue. In the afternoon, Dŵr Cymru sent a follow-up email admitting the collapsed pipe and said they are on site fixing this.
08/06/24: NWRT CEO and Vice Chairman attended a sewage works visit to Bronaber. In attendance were six members of Dŵr Cymru and three members of NRW. We were given a tour of the works, and any E. coli issues were attributed to agricultural sources. NWRT has asked for records and data through an information request to ascertain the findings we were told in person. We were also informed that despite our footage, the filtration tanks had not been turned off for the last three weeks. We dispute this finding based on our own weekly investigations. Dŵr Cymru has also dispelled the consultancy report commissioned by Dŵr Cymru citing a leaking pipe as incorrect. They now cite that it was a large structure on site that was leaking—not a pipe and that no pipes are present. NWRT has asked for another area of the site to be dug and for the CEO to be present on-site, plus all site work information for the last ten years. We will update with any further information as soon as we have it.