A Pembrokeshire community, some of whom have faced years of reliance on bottled water, is now benefitting from a clean, reliable mains water supply following the successful completion of a project led by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team.
The Council’s Pollution Control Team, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW), Valley Management Services, Penfro Consultancy Limited, PipeworxGB Ltd, Young Bros, and the residents of Barham Road, Trecwn, worked together to secure the long-awaited new water main supply and property connections, made possible by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
This project, believed to be the first of its kind in Wales, marks a significant milestone in improving the living standards of Barham Road residents, ending years of disruption caused by an unreliable and failing private water supply. Crucially, the project was completed without imposing any financial burden on the local community.
The affected residents of Barham Road were forced to rely on bottled water since 2019 due to their private water supply becoming discoloured and unwholesome.
Investigations into the water supply revealed significant corrosion in the pipelines, with the discovery of a collapsed section beneath some homes. There was a real risk that the entire system could fail, which would have led to costly temporary rehousing for the affected families living in properties on Barham Road, which were once owned by the former Royal Navy munitions base.
A new mains water connection was identified as the long-term solution to secure safe drinking water for the residents. Initially, it was anticipated that homeowners would have to contribute financially, potentially facing costs of several thousand pounds per household.
Fortunately, the introduction of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a successful application by Nathan Miles of the Pollution Control team, provided an opportunity for a viable solution, alongside a financial contribution from Manhattan Loft (Trecwn) Ltd.
DCWW undertook the design of the new water network and advised the Council’s team on the Water Regulation requirements in order for properties to be connected to this new network. After a tendering process, Young Bros was awarded the contract to lay the mains water line on behalf of DCWW, as well as continuation of their appointment for the individual properties’ connections.
PipeworxGB Ltd was entrusted with the internal works and final connections within the properties inclusive of Water Regulation upgrades internally. Penfro Consultancy Limited managed the project from concept design to construction on site, ensuring all stakeholders were engaged and committed to delivering the project.
Jon Murphy, Pembrokeshire County Council Pollution Team, led the on-site and on-line communications and proactively ensured the community was kept fully informed and were able to feel supported during the whole project. Jon was a key contact with DCWW and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, giving the Barham Road residents a voice during ongoing discussions.
The project was completed earlier this year and all properties on Barham Road are now fully connected to the new, clean, mains water supply.
Glyn Jones, a resident of Barham Road, expressed his gratitude, saying: “Without doubt if it wasn’t for Pembrokeshire County Council getting involved we could still be drinking water that failed the required standard health test. For one I can’t thank enough for sticking with us over the last five or so years, Diolch to the team.”
Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “Access to clean drinking water is a basic necessity, and it’s a great shame that this situation persisted for so long. However, I’m delighted that thanks to this project, the taps at Barham Road will now run clean once again.”
Cllr Delme Harries, the local Councillor for Bro Gwaun, added: “This is really positive news for these residents of Barham Road and will see a big improvement to their living standards. This project will have a significant impact on the lives of our residents.
“Improved drinking water quality will lead to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for everyone in our community. I want to thank everyone who supported this project to ensure it came to fruition – and to the residents of Barham Road for their patience and co-operation.”
Nial Rees and Huw Jones, Managing Agents for Manhattan Loft (Trecwn) Ltd, added: “We are indebted to the Local Authority and its management team for the support offered to the residents of Barham Road. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, its contractors and sub-contractors have worked swiftly and efficiently in establishing a seamless transition to a mains water supply.
“Our thanks also extend to UK Government for supporting the venture through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
A spokesman for the Drinking Water Inspectorate said: “The Inspectorate was pleased with the news that Pembrokeshire County Council utilised part of its allocation of the UKSPF to connect a rural community to the mains water network.
“The shared private water supply was unwholesome, discoloured and insufficient, and connecting to a wholesome mains water supply will therefore be a direct health benefit to this community. Shared private water supplies often suffer from lack of management, ownership, and investment with the result potentially being an insufficient supply or one which is unwholesome or a danger to health.
“The Inspectorate considers the most effective long-term remediation of such supplies to be the connection to the mains water network where possible.”
Robert Davies, Managing Director of Penfro Consultancy, added “Penfro Consultancy remains dedicated to supporting forward-looking developments across Pembrokeshire and beyond, helping to shape resilient, sustainable communities through expert project leadership. Well done to all of the team for their commitment on this scheme.”
