UK, Welsh Governments Launch £1 Million Fund for River Wye Pollution Research

The Welsh and UK governments have announced a joint £1 million research initiative aimed at addressing water quality issues in the heavily polluted River Wye. This initiative will investigate pollution sources, assess the impact of farming practices, and develop new methods to improve water quality while involving local farmers, environmental groups, and citizen scientists in the research process. During a roundtable meeting in Monmouth, officials highlighted the river's drastic decline due to agricultural pollution and sewage discharges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive action. The programme aims to restore the river's ecosystem and support sustainable farming, with cooperation from established organizations such as the Wye Catchment Partnership. The announcement follows growing public concern over the river's status and ongoing legal actions against local agricultural practices contributing to the pollution. Ministers stressed the importance of this research as part of broader efforts to clean up the UK’s waterways and protect local wildlife.