Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has officially opened its pioneering £13 million reedbed and wetland storm overflow at Pont-y-felin in Torfaen – the first project of its kind in the UK.
The Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited the site on Thursday alongside Welsh Water Chief Executive Peter Perry.
Photo l-r: Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies & Peter Perry, CEO of Welsh Water
The newly constructed wetland has been designed using a network of reedbeds and pools where native wetland plants will naturally filter pollutants and clean the excess water.
Storm overflows will normally release a combination of waste and excess rainwater to the river during heavy rainfall. At Torfaen it will be directed through the constructed wetland before the treated water is then safely released into the Afon Lwyd, significantly reducing the impact on the river and the Afon Wysg / Usk (Special Area of Conservation) downstream.
By replacing a traditional engineering solution such as installing large concrete storage tanks with this nature-based design, Welsh Water has saved £40 million and avoided over 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The projects forms part of Welsh Water’s £2.5 billion investment over the next five years on projects to improve the environment, reduce storm overflows, restore river health and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The site is now fully operational and treating storm overflows. Over the coming weeks, the site will gradually become accessible to the wider community for them to explore and enjoy.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“Projects like Pont-y-felin show what’s possible when we work with natural processes rather than against them – delivering bold, nature-based solutions that deliver cleaner water, lower emissions, and real community value.
“We want to see more of this across Wales; projects that protect our precious waterways, support biodiversity, and create lasting benefits for our communities – ensuring we build a more sustainable and resilient Wales for future generations."
Peter Perry, CEO of Welsh Water, added:
“We’re proud to be playing a leading role in restoring and protecting Wales’ waterways. Pont-y-felin is a powerful example of how we can work with nature to improve river water quality and build climate resilience.
“We’re committed to delivering more green, innovative projects like this – solutions that benefit both the environment and future generations.”
UK-headquartered South Staffordshire Plc, the integrated services group operating within the UK critical infrastructure and essential services markets, has received a prestigious Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Award for global health and safety excellence.
Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure provider, has delivered exceptional environmental results on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) framework, one of the nation’s most ambitious flood defence initiatives.
The Silvertown Tunnel’s pumping system is reducing the risk of flooding, delays and costly maintenance, while supporting the long-term resilience of London’s transport network, says Ian Ireland, large pumping projects programme manager, Xylem UK.
In a TV show that will explain the complex journey of the wastewater treatment process, Lakeside Equipment Corporation is set to feature in US Public Television’s All Access program with Andy Garcia.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video. 
What is to be done about the UK’s failing utilities? Listen to Professor Dieter Helm explore the options to tackle the UK’s failing utilities – Thames Water, the Royal Mail and Network Rail in particular.