Farmer blames Welsh Water sewage leaks for sheep losses
© Debbie James A sheep farmer claims he has incurred losses of £32,000 because of raw sewage repeatedly contaminating pasture grazed by his flock.
Richard Lee has been locked in a battle with Welsh Water since December 2019, when raw sewage first flooded onto land he rents from the National Trust at Newgale, Pembrokeshire.
A flock of 470 in-lamb ewes was grazing that land on the Southwood Estate and a significant number developed a serious eye infection.
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Swabs taken by Mr Lee’s vet confirmed a bacterial infection which he directly linked to organisms in the sewage.
It took the ewes more than three months to recover and the flock’s lambing percentage plummeted to 117% from a five-year average of 182%.
Sheep blinded
Ewes have been left with permanent scarring and several are blind.
Mr Lee said the leaks occur when Welsh Water is pumping into a main sewer.
“Welsh Water are constantly fobbing me off and saying there is nothing that they can do every time I report it,” he added.
He wants the company to lay a new pipe to bypass the point where the leak occurs.
A compensation claim for £32,000 to cover loss of production, veterinary costs and loss of grazing was submitted to Welsh Water – but its insurers claim that the company is not to blame.
“They basically said that they are not in control of what people put down their toilets and that they are innocent of blame,” said Mr Lee.
He is continuing to pursue Welsh Water through his solicitor, but his legal bills are mounting.
Mr Lee points out that farmers are prosecuted if they pollute watercourses. “The heavy hand of the law comes down on them, but Welsh Water seems to be immune from prosecution,” he said.
The spillages are an obvious health hazard and also make working conditions unpleasant, he added.
“When I put the dogs back in the pickup and turn on the heaters, I am soon reminded what they have on their feet.”
The sewage is carried on the wheels of his pick-up too.
“I have to drive through the field where the spillages occur to get to the rest of the land, there is no way I can bypass it,” explained Mr Lee.
Richard Lee with his dogs © Debbie James
Operational issue
In a statement, Welsh Water said it was aware of “an operational issue” on the public sewer in the Newgale area.
It said it would be carrying out investigations into the cause.
“Once we have completed our investigations, we will take necessary action to resolve the matter and will keep the landowner informed,” said a spokesperson.
“We are of course very sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank those affected for their patience.”