Western Wales river basin management plan 2021-2027

Overview

Natural Resources Wales is responsible for publishing river basin management plans for two river basin districts in Wales: Western Wales and Dee.

The current river basin management plans were published in 2015. We review and update these plans every 6 years. We are required to do this by the Water Framework Directive Regulations 2017.

The plans set out how organisations, stakeholders and communities will work together to improve the water environment in each district. The plans:

• describe the pressures facing the water environment for the river basin district
• set objectives for our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and ground waters from 2021-2027
• outline proposed actions needed to improve the water environment and the benefits that could be achieved

This consultation asks everyone to consider the issues impacting upon the water environment in the Western Wales river basin district and the actions needed to protect and restore the water environment.

Your responses to this consultation will be essential to shape, develop and update the Western Wales river basin management plans.

We are also consulting on updating the Dee river basin management plan for 2021-2027.

The updated Severn river basin management plan will be published by the Environment Agency.

Why we are consulting

Water is essential for our health, our well-being, the economy and enabling a healthy, functioning environment on whose services we all rely. We drink it, flush it, swim in it, fish in it and plants and wildlife live in it.

Through our actions however, the fragile relationship between soil, water and vegetation has been altered. Urban development, drainage infrastructure and flood defences have further exacerbated those issues. 

All our activities place enormous pressure on water quality and quantity.

We need to find a better balance that meets the needs of nature and people, especially when considering future changes due to potential effects of climate change.