Water framework directive schemes

The aim is to create a more vibrant and healthy environment for people and wildlife.

The initial £400,000 scheme was launched in July 2012 and was created to match a fund operated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Recognising the benefit of the scheme, Dŵr Cymru added a further £150,000 in July 2013. The funding scheme aims to help implement the European Union’s Water Framework Directive within Dŵr Cymru’s operational area. The directive aims to improve and ensure good quality of rivers, lakes, transitional waters, and coastal waters in all member states of the European Union.

The Independent Environmental Advisory Panel (IEAP) has been advising Dŵr Cymru on the merits of projects submitted for funding. Further information regarding the IEAP can be found HERE.

To date, the following projects have been approved for funding:

• Loving our Lake working with Snowdonia-Active aims to reduce phosphates in Llyn Padarn.
• Monmouthshire Olway and Trothy project of the Wye & Usk Foundation aims to reduce the adverse impact of agriculture in the catchments.
• Upper Tywi Catchment Restoration Project of the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust aims to reduce acidification.
• Alun and Chwiler Living Landscapes project of the North Wales Wildlife Trust aims to increase the connectivity between habitats.
• River Schools educational programme by Groundwork North Wales aims to raise awareness of the river environment.
• Clear Streams Swansea project aims to reduce surface water entering the sewerage network and change attitudes and behaviours towards the water environment.
• Healthy Rivers project of Groundwork Caerphilly will; remove barriers to fish migration, promote and facilitate volunteering opportunities, and aims to further implement the River Schools project currently being developed by Groundwork North Wales.
• Middle Dee Diffuse Pollution Project of The Welsh Dee Trust aims to prevent and reduce the levels of diffuse pollutants entering into the Worthenbury and Wych Rivers.

Dr Emma Edwards-Jones of Snowdonia-Active said;

“Snowdonia-Active has been delighted to work in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to deliver Loving our Lake, with the support of Natural Resources Wales. By working together we have managed to celebrate a beautiful and much loved part of Wales and harnessed that positive energy to encourage people to make small changes to their lifestyles to help improve water quality in Llyn Padarn. Loving our Lake represents a unique collaboration between private, public and third sector organisations working together to deliver environmental benefits.”

Dŵr Cymru continues to invite applications for funding for projects that we believe will deliver positive outcomes under the WFD and thereby, the best value to the people and environment of Wales. Applicants must;

• Describe how their proposal relates to Dŵr Cymru operations or assets;
• They may be directly related to reducing the impacts / effects of the operation of assets or discharges,
• Or involve ‘upstream’ or other work that could reduce the burden or risk of improvements being required at Dŵr Cymru assets.

For further information, to discuss ideas for projects, or to obtain an application form, please e-mail wfd@dwrcymru.com