Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is committing £160,000 to projects which will boost the environment in its operating area, both on land and in water via its Water Framework Directive and Non-Native Species Funding Schemes.

The funding from the not for profit utility company will be available to community and voluntary groups that undertake projects which bring real and measurable benefits to the local environment.

The funding will be available to not for profit groups through two schemes the company is operating.  The first is its £100,000 Water Framework Directive Funding Scheme.  The scheme provides financial contributions for groups to undertake projects which they can demonstrate will deliver improvements to either inland, ground or coastal waters.  The projects in turn help implement the objectives of the European Union’s Water Framework Directive in Welsh Water’s operating area intended to drive up water quality.

 Since the launch of the scheme in 2012, Welsh Water has made £550,000 available to the voluntary sector through its Water Framework Directive Scheme. Examples of projects that have benefitted from the Scheme include:

Monmouthshire Olway and Trothy Project – run by Wye & Usk Foundation and aims to reduce the adverse impact of agriculture in the catchments.

• Upper Tywi Catchment Restoration Project – run by Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust and aims to reduce acidification.
• Clear Streams Swansea - project which aims to reduce surface water entering the sewerage network and change attitudes and behaviours towards the water environment.
• River Schools - education programme by Groundwork North Wales which aims to raise awareness of the river environment among young people.
• Healthy Rivers - project by Groundwork Caerphilly to remove barriers to fish migration, promote and facilitate volunteering opportunities and aims to further implement the River Schools project currently being developed by Groundwork North Wales.

Bryan Dando, Operations Manager, Groundwork Wales commented:

"The funding Groundwork has received from Dŵr Cymru, has been crucial to the expansion of our Healthy Rivers project in the South Wales Valleys. It has enabled us to remove more barriers to fish migration, access more communities to promote a "Healthy River" and continue to contribute to improving Rivers' classifications under the Water Framework Directive.”

The second scheme the company is running is its new Invasive Non-Native Species Funding Scheme.  This aims to curb the growth and spread of invasive non-native species which pose a threat to indigenous plants and animals.  A total of £60,000 is being made available for projects which will enable the company to support local groups to take action to prevent, reduce, eradicate or manage the risk of non-native species. 

The fund reflects the company’s commitment to address threats to biodiversity not just on land it owns but also across its operating area which includes most of Wales, Herefordshire and parts of Deeside.

 Tony Harrington, the Director of Environment for Dŵr Cymru said:

“We are delighted to be able to announce the continuation of the Water Framework Directive Funding Scheme and the launch of the new Invasive Non-Native Species Funding Scheme.  The schemes reflect our commitment to protect and improve the natural environment in our care for now and into the future.

 “The schemes offer funding which can help get projects off the ground for community groups, and from our experience with the Water Framework Directive Funding Scheme these projects are successfully delivering real and tangible results.  We look forward to seeing more projects of this nature being brought forward in the coming year so if you think a project your group is involved in could be eligible to apply for funding then please get in touch.”

Further information on the Water Framework Directive Funding Scheme and the Invasive Non-Native Species Funding Scheme and details of how to apply for funding can be found at dwrcymru.com