A break in the city's riser last month caused pollution that led to swimming bans at four area beaches.
This was the second time the pipeline had sprung a leak in just over a year and fears were raised that another leak would cause untold damage to Tenby's tourism sector and the environment.
Initially stalled
Calls from Tenby Town Council for immediate repairs to the mains were initially blocked by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
The authority said in July: “Our investment plans run in five-year cycles and this sewer has been included in our next proposed business plans for 2025-2030, submitted to Ofwat in 2023.”
Tenby should be a “special case”
However, Dŵr Cymru's sewerage authority general manager Steve Wilson has now agreed with councillors that the pipe must be replaced as soon as possible and that “Tenby is a special case”.
Councillors and representatives from Tenby Chamber of Commerce, Tenby Sea Swimming Association and Plastic Free Tenby recently met with Mr Wilson, who told them: “We are really sorry that this outbreak has occurred… Having now experienced this second outbreak in recent years, we have come to the conclusion that we do not want to take this risk any further… Tenby should be considered a special case.”
Ball into the field
The water company has now passed the ball to Dŵr Cymru's financial regulator Ofwat.
But Ofwat responded that Dŵr Cymru had the necessary funding “and could now start work if it wanted to”.
A Dŵr Cymru spokesman said: “Replacing this main sewer in Tenby will require additional funding over and above that available in our current budget for the maintenance of our plant network.”
“We want to get this work underway as soon as possible and, while a funding agreement needs to be reached first, we will continue to make our case to Ofwat and respond to their draft decision by the end of this month.”
“You can start working if you want”
An Ofwat spokesman said: “Dŵr Cymru has applied for additional funding to replace the riser in Tenby. We have provisionally determined that the company already has the necessary funding to undertake this repair and can now start work if they wish.”
“Our decision is open for consultation and the company will have the opportunity to provide further evidence before we make a final decision later this year.”
Evidence call
Tenby Clean Seas Group chairman Duncan Whitehurst, Tenby Town Councillor, said: “I am surprised to hear from Ofwat that Dŵr Cymru has already secured the funding to replace Tenby’s riser.”
“I want Ofwat to provide evidence of this statement so that we can effectively challenge Dŵr Cymru.”
“I hope the two companies can resolve this matter quickly without it becoming a game of 'he says, she says.'
“This investment is too important for the economy and the environment to be taken lightly.”
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