Conservation and biodiversity
Welsh Water has directly contributed to biodiversity through the improved quality of its discharges to the marine and freshwater environments.
As a large landowner and a water company with processes and activities that can have a direct influence on the environment, we are committed to enhancing biodiversity within our own landholdings and also to ensuring that our operations do not adversely affect biodiversity value in our rivers and seas.
Major investments in new treatment works and improvements in the combined sewer overflows during the past 10 years have been a significant factor in environmental improvements and enhanced marine and freshwater habitat.
We target investment at key areas: improving the quality of treated water that our wastewater treatment works discharge; protecting rivers and coastal areas from pollution during storms and ensuring that our processes operate with minimum impact on local communities.
We take our responsibility as a major landowner and guardian of some of Wales's most important wildlife sites very seriously. We continue to avoid or minimise environmental impacts from our activities and, wherever possible, to maximise opportunities for nature conservation and enhancement. With 60% of our land being of national conservation and biodiversity importance, and a continual capital investment programme, we are very much committed to the responsible management of our operational and construction activities.