WELSH water company Dwr Cymru has been told to cut all pollution incidents to zero by a Senedd scrutiny committee.

The environment committee told Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and the Welsh government to speed up measures to tackle pollution in Wales’s waters.

The committee said that the firm should set a more stretching target for reducing pollution incidents by 2030 with an ambitious target of zero pollution incidents as soon as possible.

Senedd environment committee chairman Llyr Gruffydd said: “Recent performance reports show that Welsh Water is barely treading water when it comes to delivering for its customers and the environment.

“Pollution, leakages, drinking water quality problems and supply interruptions are just some of the issues Welsh Water is struggling with.”

The scrutiny committee’s report also calls on the Welsh government to lay out its timetable for banning wet wipes containing plastic as soon as possible.

The Welsh government said a joint UK-wide consultation on proposals to introduce a ban on wet wipes containing plastic closed last November and the responses are being analysed.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “Our water sector is facing an immediate and unprecedented challenge but we remain clear that water companies in Wales must deliver excellent services and outcomes.”

A Dwy Cymru spokesperson said: “We have been very disappointed with our recent performance but are well on with implementing the detailed plans we have drawn up to deliver the improvements needed. 

“We will not shy away from these challenges and are targeting a return to achieving three-star environmental performance for the 2024 reporting year.”