Press Release: Young people urge MSs: Spill the tea on the pollutants brewing in Welsh rivers

Young campaigners crochet tea bags crocheted to highlight the scale of pollutants brewing in Welsh waterways.

Young campaigners unveiled a series of handmade crocheted tea bags in the Senedd, each tagged with the names of agricultural pollutants currently “brewing” in Welsh waterways. The creative display invited politicians to confront the reality of what is steeping in the nation’s rivers and lakes - and why it is time to “spill the tea” on the scale of the problem.

MSs from Plaid Cymru, Labour and Conservatives joined six youth representatives from across Wales for the event in Cardiff, sponsored by Delyth Jewell MS and organised by UK Youth for Nature (UKY4N) and supported by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ Cardiff Youth Forum. The discussion forms part of UKY4N’s ‘Not So Freshwater’ campaign, which is calling for cross-party commitment to reverse the degradation of Welsh freshwater ecosystems.

The event takes place as the Senedd considers major changes to environmental law. The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, now at Stage 2, proposes embedding environmental principles across government decision-making and creating a new oversight body for nature recovery. 

UK Youth for Nature – the UK’s leading youth movement calling for action on the nature crisis – is urging the Welsh Government to take stronger measures to address the declining health of the nation’s rivers and lakes. Recent assessments from Natural Resources Wales show the scale of the challenge: in 2024, only 43% of rivers and 25% of lakes were classified as achieving ‘good’ or better ecological status. 

While sewage pollution has rightly received public attention – with Welsh Water announcing in July 2025 that sewage spills had reached their highest level in a decade – agricultural run-off remains a significant and growing threat. In Wales alone, agricultural pollution has caused water quality failures of 113 waterbodies Natural Resources Wales reported in March 2025 that seven of Wales’ nine most protected rivers are now heavily polluted with phosphorus from both sewage and farm run-off. This nutrient load drives excessive algal blooms, which suffocate wildlife, damage habitats, and reduce the quality of water that communities across Wales depend on. 

At the roundtable, UKY4N members were calling on all political parties in Wales to adopt more ambitious freshwater restoration commitments ahead of the next Senedd term, including stronger pollution controls, targeted investment in nature-based solutions, and robust monitoring to ensure Welsh waterways recover for people, wildlife and future generations.

In Brecon, the River Usk is suffering hugely from sewage and agricultural pollution, despite being the longest stretch of protected water in Wales. According to the Save the River Usk campaign, the river ‘catastrophically’ fails to meet phosphorus level targets set by Natural Resources Wales in all but two areas. High phosphorus levels can cause algal blooms which threaten wildlife and can be hazardous for people, pets and livestock.

Between 2016-2020, there were 266 water-pollution incidents recorded in Ceredigion. Of those, 104 were attributed to agriculture.

The River Taff in Cardiff is one of the UK’s most polluted rivers. On top of rising pollution from pesticides and plastic, sewage was pumped into the river for over 9,500 hours in 2022 alone.

Between 1 March 2016 and 31 December 2020, there were 208 recorded water-pollution incidents in Pembrokeshire — and 104 of those (50 %) were attributed to agriculture.

At the roundtable, young people from UKY4N and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ Cardiff Youth Forum asked Members of the Senedd to consider potential opportunities to work with young people on freshwater policy in the future. 

Reflecting on the event, Jake Cohen from UKY4N, said: “It was encouraging to hear directly from MSs about their positions on agricultural pollution and the wider future of nature in Wales, and for young people to be given a real voice at the table. Right now, Wales has a huge opportunity to get this right: with the Sustainable Farming Scheme launching in January, the Environment Bill under scrutiny, and Senedd elections on the horizon in May. At this crucial moment for Welsh politics we must support Welsh farmers and  I truly hope we make the right choices for nature, for farmers, and for future generations.”

Ellen Bradley, Co-Director of UKY4N, says: “young people want a future which is rich in wildlife, they want healthy waterways which they can continue to enjoy throughout their life. To achieve that future, we need environmental policy to reflect young people’s concerns about the way we treat our environment.”

Marianne Evans, Wilder Engagement Officer, from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales says the roundtable is timed to capitalise on a pivotal moment within Wales policy: “This is a chance for MSs to hear from young members of their communities first hand. To really listen to what they have to say and to act accordingly, with urgency and conviction.”

Delyth Jewell, Deputy Senedd Leader and Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Climate Change, after hosting the meeting said: "Plaid Cymru recognises that far more must be done to restore Wales’s rivers, lakes, and streams. This meeting comes at a crucial time in Welsh politics, months from a game-changing Senedd election and during a time when Senedd Members are scrutinising the Environmental Governance Bill. We believe that it is essential for the Welsh Government to show leadership and set biodiversity targets under this Bill as soon as possible.  These targets must of course include aquatic life.  I was pleased to take part in this timely event."