With some claiming the UK is experiencing a “dirty water crisis”, you might be even more put off by a trip to the shoreline in Wales than you would be normally in these freezing temperatures. But allow Elizabeth Morris to convince you otherwise – there could be internal and external benefits to doing so…

While most people see January as a time to make resolutions and work on self-improvement, it isn’t always easy when you’re recovering from the festive season and all you want to do is curl up and avoid the gloomy weather. So, if you spent the first few weeks dwelling on the things you perhaps didn’t quite get round to (and if you did… how?), take February as your opportunity to get back into the swing of it all. And maybe that ‘swing’ could be looking after both yourself and the environment around you at once.

Something you can do that is accessible, doesn’t take a lot of your time or energy, and is rewarding both for your own health and that of the planet is getting involved with a beach clean in Wales. Breathe in some fresh sea air whilst getting yourself out and moving, meeting a bunch of amazing people and making a positive impact on the world around us.

The people of Wales have been frontrunners in the fight against plastic, and it shows in numerous reports comparing our water quality to that of other European countries – including England. The coastal village of Aberporth, for instance, is the world’s first plastic-free community, and Anglesey the UK’s first plastic-free county. It’s clear to see where this passion comes from with the stunning and varied coastline being so accessible to enjoy from all of Wales.

Asked why looking after our sea and coastline is so important, Ffion Mitchell – the Marine Conservation Society’s Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager for north Wales – says: “Sitting on the edge of the nutrient-rich waters generated by the Gulf Stream, Wales has a wide diversity of marine life. From the great Orme of Llandudno to the islands of Pembrokeshire, the Welsh coast boasts a dynamic collection of habitats which attract internationally important wildlife to our waters.

“Unfortunately, however, all is not well with the state of our seas. We’re in the midst of a biodiversity and climate crisis and the importance of a healthy ocean is greater than ever. With over 60% of Wales’ population either living or working at the coast, it’s critical we take action now to secure healthy seas for years to come.”

So what can the people of Wales can do to take action? According to Ffion, “There are lots of ways you can get involved, from education and raising awareness, through to getting stuck into practical beach-based conservation work like beach cleans and seaweed surveys.”

How can you get involved with their work? “By joining our growing network of Sea Champion volunteers, you can be trained and supported in undertaking positive action with us to protect our ocean and its resources for future generations. Thanks to the information collected and action taken by our volunteers, Wales has been able to introduce key laws such as plastic carrier bag charges, single-use plastic restrictions and a Deposit Return Scheme – all made possible thanks to evidence collected by our Sea Champion community.”

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is a UK-wide charitable organisation that advocates for a cleaner, better protected and safer ocean for everyone who enjoys it. They have a range of inspiring campaigns that you can get involved with such as #StopOceanThreads, and they also help you to run your own beach clean or join one happening locally. More information on their beach cleans and other campaigns can be found here.

The UK-wide organisation Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are also passionate about keeping our beaches and waters clean. They have reps across Wales that promote their campaigns, such as the Million Mile Clean, which provides educational talks to communities advocating for change from their local councils. The Million Mile Clean is exactly what you would expect – an initiative to clean one million miles’ worth of beaches across the UK – so if, like me, you are itching to get your hands on a litter picker and make a difference, you can find out more about running your own clean or where you can join a pre-planned clean here. Joining a beach clean is a great excuse to get out and appreciate the coastline that we are so fortunate to have, meet some great people and get some gentle exercise while leaving the beaches cleaner and safer for the people and wildlife that get to enjoy them after you.

If you’re worried about water pollution near you, you can report it to SAS or Welsh Water. SAS also has an interactive, up-to-date online map where you can check your local beach for water quality issues.

WATER POLLUTION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• SAS estimates sewage was dumped into UK rivers and oceans nearly one million times between 2020-21. The Labour Party estimates there have been over 1.2 million sewage spill occurrences since 2016, MP Mick Whitley commenting: “Our country is facing a dirty water emergency and the Government and water companies are making the situation a whole lot worse.” 
• Last year, water companies made £1.1 billion in dividends. Water UK told Water News Europe in November that it’s invested £160 billion since privatisation into improving “company efficiency”, which keeps the cost down for consumers down. But rising inflation pushed prices up almost 10% in some areas last April.
• Raw sewage dumps from the water industry are meant to be rare, but are thought in some cases to happen 200 times a year. Four companies aim to limit this to 20 per year by 2025; the Department of Health and Social Care says this isn’t enough.
• The Met Office says 93% of England’s bathing waters are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ and the Environment Agency reported last August that 97% meet “required standards” out of 400 sampled. However, SAS found that a minimum of 90 beaches at that time had been soiled by sewage. The Government admitted it wasn’t monitoring the problem. Meanwhile, no English rivers passed pollution tests in 2020, the Agency discovered.
• Natural Resources Wales (NRW) found that Wales’ bathing water quality (85 out of 106 surveyed) had a 99% rate of compliance last year; the same is true of our drinking water, according to Welsh Water. The company has also committed to keeping 44% of Welsh rivers at ‘Good’ ecological status, as well as £1.5 billion investment to improving them by 2025.

words ELIZABETH MORRIS / HANNAH COLLINS