We are delighted to report that following our communication with the Powys Council highways team and the presentation of our findings regarding the rock salt pollution issue, they have taken prompt action by removing the salt from the site.

The rock salt had initially been stockpiled for winter road de-icing purposes but unfortunately had been left uncovered, leading to an inadvertent release of salt into a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) drain. This incident represented the most significant outfall within our catchment for the year 2021. Subsequent investigations unveiled elevated salinity levels in the nearby stream that feeds into the river.

It is essential to recognize that salt is highly corrosive and poses a severe threat to the aquatic ecosystem, particularly species such as salmon, sewin, and invertebrates.

With the approaching winter season, we are proactively reaching out to all county councils, urging them to implement stringent measures to ensure the proper covering of road salt stockpiles, preventing any potential leaching into drainage systems. Concurrently, we are in the process of developing an ambitious project aimed at addressing road runoff concerns along the A55 motorway, thoroughly assessing its impact on both groundwater supplies and the health of nearby rivers.