Companies facing legal action over alleged pollution of the river Wye have strenuously denied the claims and say they intend the contest the case ‘robustly’

The court action, taken by law firm Leigh Day representing nearly 4,000 claimants, is against Welsh Water, Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig, who is blamed for pollution in the river Usk, and industrial chicken production firms, Avara Foods Limited and Freemans of Newent Limited, who are blamed for pollution in the rivers Wye and Lugg.

The three companies have denied the claims and must file a defence and, unless the claim is settled, it will be heard in a civil trial at the High Court. The defendants also have the right to apply for the claims to be struck out.

The 3,943 claimants are all residents, local business owners, or people who use the rivers Wye, Usk and Lugg for leisure and family time.

A Welsh Water spokesperson said:“Welsh Water is a not-for-profit company, unlike other water companies. The amount we can charge for our services is subject to regulatory control, which therefore limits the funds available to us for re-investing into our infrastructure. Despite these financial constraints, we have made significant investments over recent years, and we have achieved real improvements in water quality.

“In the past five years we have delivered £70 million of investment to improve our sites on the Wye River – and delivered them ahead of the target set by our regulators. We are also currently investing £33 million to improve the Usk River. Unfortunately, the water pollution caused by other sectors during this period has increased significantly, reducing the overall impact of the water quality improvements we have achieved.

“We intend to defend this case robustly: the fact that we are a not-for-profit company means that any payments to these claimants would necessarily reduce the amount that we can re-invest in delivering further improvements for the benefit of all of our customers and the environment.”

A spokesperson for Avara Foods said: “We share concerns about the condition of the River Wye, but we believe that this legal claim is based on a misunderstanding, as no manure is stored or spread on poultry-only farms that supply Avara Foods. Where poultry manure is used as fertiliser, it is for other produce in other agricultural sectors. Individual farmers are responsible for how nutrients are used in their arable operations.

“Avara is not involved in any arable operations and has no control over this activity. All our poultry is produced in Britain to standards that are amongst the highest in the world. The focus instead needs to be on solutions that will improve the health of the river, addressing all forms of pollution and the effects of climate change, and for action to be taken accordingly. We employ 5,000 people in the UK and approximately 1,500 people in the catchment area, and we all want a healthy River Wye."