Local MP Henry Tufnell has renewed calls for urgent action from Welsh Water to improve water quality across Pembrokeshire's rivers, beaches, and surrounding oceans, following concerns about pollution incidents and poor environmental performance.
The MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire questioned Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water chief executive Peter Perry, during an environment committee session at UK Parliament this week, about his earnings.
In 2021, Mr Perry received a total of £892,000 in remuneration, which included salary, benefits, pension, variable pay, and incentives.
As a member of the ‘environment, food and rural affairs select committee’ - Tufnell probed Mr Perry regarding the company’s poor environmental performance, stating: "In 2021, Peter, your total remuneration was £892,000 and last year you took a bonus of £91,000.
"I wonder whether, if you take into consideration what we've talked about with water security, environmental performance, water quality with the public health element to it, do you think level of pay is justified and that's in alignment with your not-for-profit model?"
In response, Mr Perry clarified the terminology used by the company, explaining that they don’t ue the term 'bonus' - but have the term 'variable pay' and variable pay puts at risk a potential earnings based on performance.
He explained that in the year he received what was referred to as a £91,000 bonus, it represented only 25% of the maximum he could have earned, as 100% of variable pay was entirely based on performance.
Recent reports revealed seven serious pollution incidents in the last reporting year, with Welsh Water receiving a concerning two-out-of-four-star rating from Natural Resources Wales — one of its worst assessments to date.
"I challenged Welsh Water directly on this,” Tufnell stated after the discussions.
“In the Haverfordwest area, for example, The Cleddau Project found that a sewage system operating at 80% capacity resulted in 56,000m³ of waste — equivalent to 17 tankers a day — flowing into a protected conservation area. That’s simply unacceptable.
“I asked Welsh Water’s leadership whether they would apologise to the residents of Haverfordwest, and they agreed."
The MP said that he recently took to the sea at White Sands Beach in St David’s, and highlighted the importance of monitoring local water conditions.
Using the Surfers Against Sewage app, he confirmed that water quality at White Sands and across much of the constituency was safe, marked by reassuring green ticks.
However, Tufnell warned that not all areas were in the clear.
"Newport and Fishguard are facing ongoing issues, and it’s absolutely critical that we keep the pressure on Welsh Water to deliver better outcomes for our environment and our communities," he continued.
Tufnell said that he remains committed to keeping the pressure on Welsh Water to ensure tangible improvements.
