Sewage risk to kids" play area (From Penarth Times)

Sewage risk to kids" play area

WELSH Water has reported the owners of a private pumping station to the Environment Agency following reports of sewage overflowing through manholes into a stream near a children's play area in Penarth.

But at the same time Welsh Water apologised to residents in Sully Road, who reported sewage seeping through a manhole and running into Sully Brook near Old Cogan Hall Farm and St Peter's Church.

Greame Jones, of the Glamorgan Conservation Group, said: "Sewage is spewing into the stream near a children's play area at St David's Crescent in Penarth.

"It is scandalous because exposure to sewage can result in diphtheria.

"Sewage is equally devastating for wildlife. It kills a river completely. As soon as bacteria start to form it is the beginning of the end for river wildlife.

"It is of great concern to us because this stream is in the catchment of the river Cadoxton - a designated spawning ground for salmon and trout.

"The stream also links up with another one which runs on to the woodland area of Cosmeston Park."

Mrs Fay Fox, of Sully Road, said: "I first noticed the sewage and reported it last summer.

"In the meantime nothing has been done and it is still flowing through two manholes near the stream.

"I was out walking my dog last week. He ran off and came back covered in sewage. It was absolutely putrid. This manhole is very near to a public footpath."

A spokesperson for Welsh Water said: "We have sent a team to Sully Road to carry out a clean-up operation at the site. We believe that the debris there is the result of a blockage within the wastewater network. We would like to apologise to local people for any inconvenience which this has caused.

"We believe that a private pumping station in St David's Crescent is causing the pollution to the local brook.

"As this is privately owned it is not the responsibility of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. However, we have reported this incident to Environment Agency Wales.