A new report analyzing data from Wales’ water companies has revealed that sewage discharges into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters totaled more than 800,000 hours during 2025. The charity Surfers Against Sewage documented more than 100,000 individual sewage release events throughout the year, translating to approximately one discharge every five minutes on average.
The figures represent a decrease compared to the previous year, when sewage was discharged for more than 970,000 hours. Environmental advocates attributed part of this improvement to dry weather conditions experienced during summer, though they maintained that systemic challenges persisted. According to Surfers Against Sewage data, sewage was released into designated bathing waters across Wales for 35,669 hours during the year. One notable location, Llyn Padarn in Gwynedd, experienced 1,614 hours of discharges despite its bathing water being classified as “excellent” for water quality.
The charity documented 215 cases of illness reported in connection with sewage exposure in 2025, contributing to more than 2,200 days of work absences. Giles Bristow, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, characterized the discharge frequency as a “shocking statistic” and expressed concern that sewage pollution had impacted over 4,000 hours of swimming time at 90 locations designated by authorities as suitable bathing areas.
Regulatory and government bodies outlined their responses to the issue. Natural Resources Wales indicated it had strengthened monitoring and enforcement approaches while overseeing environmental investment initiatives by water companies. Welsh Water announced plans for a record £2.5 billion investment over the following four years, while Hafren Dyfrdwy committed £11 million toward reducing overflows to fewer than 20 annually by 2030. The Welsh government indicated it was assuming greater control over water management and would implement the polluter-pays principle, including prosecution of serious offenders. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs emphasized that water companies must assume responsibility and noted that forthcoming legislation would establish enhanced regulatory oversight and accountability mechanisms.
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