Improving bathing water quality at Ogmore-by-Sea and Watch House Bay

Overview

Click to read this page in Welsh / Cliciwch i ddarllen y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

We know how important our beaches and rivers are to local communities, visitors and wildlife.

Bathing waters at Ogmore-by-Sea and Watch House Bay in Barry have failed to meet water quality standards in the past few years. We do not yet fully know what is causing the problem, and it is likely to be due to many different reasons.

We are working with stakeholders and communities to better understand the causes of poor bathing water quality and to support action that can lead to improvements.

What is the project?

This project is a joint effort to understand and improve the bathing water quality at Ogmore-by-Sea and Watch House Bay.

These sites are designated bathing waters and both have failed to meet required water quality standards under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013:

• Ogmore‑by‑Sea has been classified as ‘Poor’ for three consecutive years since its designation in 2023
• Watch House Bay was classified as ‘Poor’ in its first year of designation in 2023 and improved to ‘Sufficient’ in 2024, and ‘Poor’ again in 2025.

The project aims to:

• understand what is affecting water quality across the whole catchment area, from rivers and streams to the sea
• identify the main sources of pollution, whether from drainage systems, towns, or the surrounding countryside
• take action based on evidence, testing practical solutions that will lead to lasting improvements.

Why is this happening?

Water quality can be affected by many different factors across the whole catchment.

Issues can include:

• storm overflows and drainage systems becoming overwhelmed in wet weather and discharging into rivers;
• ageing infrastructure under increasing pressure from population growth and climate change
• pollution from roads and urban areas entering rivers through surface water drains
• misconnected pipes, where wastewater from homes or businesses is wrongly connected into surface water drains and can end up in rivers or the sea untreated
• pollution from farmland, including animal waste washing into watercourses.

Because pollution can come from different sources and combine across the area, we need to look at the whole catchment to understand the problem and identify the right solutions.

How are we doing it?

On the ground: what our specialist officers are doing

Two dedicated officers are working across both catchments to help build a detailed picture of what’s happening.

Their work includes:

• testing water quality, particularly after wet weather
• finding where pollution enters rivers and streams
• identifying drainage problems, including wrongly connected pipes
• working out where harmful bacteria are coming from
• checking how healthy rivers are by looking at the wildlife in them.

This hands-on work, combined with analysis of existing data held by NRW and partners, and building on the knowledge of specialist NRW staff who have worked in these catchments over many years, helps us build a clear picture of what’s happening and take evidence-based action.

Working together across the catchemnts

Alongside the fieldwork, we are bringing organisations together to work across the catchments.

This joined-up approach is coordinated by Natural Resources Wales, working closely with:

• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water – who we regulate
• Shared Regulatory Services - a joint environmental health service for Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan councils, covering issues such as pollution, food safety and public health
• Bridgend County Borough Council
• Vale of Glamorgan Council

and reaching out to:

• environmental organisations
• landowners and community groups.

The project brings together organisations with different responsibilities and expertise to:

• share knowledge and data
• agree priorities and coordinate action
• work more efficiently by avoiding duplication
• develop a joined-up plan for improvement.

By working in this way, partners can address complex issues together that no single organisation could solve on its own.

Listening and involving communities

Local knowledge is vital. We plan to:

• work with community groups, landowners and stakeholders
• create opportunities to share insights and ideas
• support community involvement in monitoring and building local understanding of water quality
• keep people informed through updates and engagement events.

We want this to be a shared effort, and we value local knowledge and the input from communities. When everyone understands the challenges, we can all play a role in improving water quality.

What difference will this make?

This project is about building the foundations for real, lasting improvement.

In the short term, it will:

• give us better, clearer evidence
• identify priority actions and quick wins.

Over time, it will:

• support investment and targeted solutions
• improve water quality and environmental resilience
• create a model for improving other bathing waters across Wales.

Get involved

We will keep sharing updates on this project, and work with anyone interested in helping solve these issues.

The project is already underway and will run until March 2027. Right now, we are in the evidence-gathering phase, which is essential to make sure future actions are targeted and effective.

You can:

• stay informed through project updates
• take part in engagement activities
• share your knowledge of the area
• help identify issues and solutions.

Email: bathingwatersSC@naturalresources.wales and let us know how we can work together.

How you can help

If you have seen pollution, noticed changes in rivers, or have local knowledge about drainage or water quality, your insight could make a real difference.

We will be out across the catchment and are keen to speak to anyone who wants to share their experience.

You can also play a practical role in improving water quality by checking for simple issues at home, such as misconnected pipes, where wastewater may be entering surface water drains instead of the foul sewer. Visit Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s website for more information.

If you suspect pollution, please report it to us online or via our 24/7 incident hotline on 03000 65 3000.

Signs of pollution to look out for include:

• Milky, cloudy, or grey discolouration in the water
• Dead or distressed fish
• Strong sewage or chemical smells
• Toilet-related debris (wet wipes, sanitary products)
• Brown or green water flowing into streams from agricultural fields, particularly after heavy rain
• Oil-like sheens, excessive foam, or thick scum on the water surface.

Project updates

Check here for updates on the project or follow us on Facebook.