SoNaRR 2025: Water

Water is essential to the environment and people. It creates and sustains the ecosystems upon which all life depends, while also providing water for us to drink, run industries, grow food and generate power.

Key messages

• 40% of our water bodies achieve good Water Framework Directive Regulations Status. Significant pressures include physical modifications; pollution from wastewater, towns, cities and transport, agriculture and abandoned mines; and changes to the natural flow and levels of water.
• The industrial past, including discharges from abandoned mines, has resulted in an ongoing ecological impact from persistent chemicals and metals. Emerging threats from novel pesticides, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals also present a risk to ecosystems and people.
• Zones covering 70% of Wales’ population could be in water deficit by 2050, unless leakage control and water efficiency measures are implemented. People using private water supplies will become increasingly vulnerable during prolonged dry periods due to climate change.
• Risk of flooding is likely to increase due to climate change and population growth, with almost 353,000 properties predicted to be at risk of flooding by 2120. We need to improve delivery of adaptation, mitigation and resilience measures, and to develop catchment-wide water management using nature-based solutions.
• Sea levels are expected to rise in Wales by up to 1 metre by 2100, alongside more frequent and severe storms and wave action. This will increase the risk of coastal flooding, coastal erosion and damage to coastal infrastructure, as well as land loss and saltwater intrusion onto agricultural land.
  
  

Assessment of SMNR

This water assessment is one of three natural resource and eight ecosystem assessments that inform the overall SoNaRR2025 report. It draws together up to date evidence from national datasets, such as those compiled for Water Framework Directive Regulations, data from Flood Risk Assessment Wales, as well as other published data analysis for Wales. This assessment is closely linked to the freshwater and marine assessments.

This assessment is structured around four interlinked aims that guide Wales’ progress toward the sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR), helping to communicate the relationship between the environment, well-being, and the economy.

Aim 1: Stocks of natural resources are safeguarded and enhanced

Water in Wales face pressures from climate change, pollution, land use changes. Climate projections indicate reduced summer rainfall and increased winter rainfall, leading to more frequent prolonged dry periods and droughts and flooding respectively. These changes can affect water availability and quality, with warmer temperatures increasing the risk of algal blooms and pollutant toxicity. Only 40% of water bodies achieved good or high status in 2024, with rural pollution, urban areas, and wastewater being major contributors to poor water quality. Chemicals including combustion by products, pesticides, insecticides, persistent chemicals and microplastics are present in the waters of Wales. Heavy metals continue to impact water bodies, with legacy metal mine discharges affecting around 700 km of rivers. Groundwater quantity is stable, but quality remains moderate.

Efforts to enhance water quality include statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, the Wales Metal Mines Programme, and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for new developments. Investment through water company National Environment Programmes supports nutrient reduction, storm overflow mitigation, and wastewater treatment upgrades. Current regulation strives to prevent pressures from licensed water abstraction. Water efficiency initiatives, such as the UK labelling scheme for water appliances and behavioural campaigns, aim to reduce demand.

Aim 2: Ecosystems are Resilient to Expected and Unforeseen Change

Freshwater, marine and groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems are dependent on sufficient water and vulnerable to changes in water quantity and quality. Sea level

rise will result in coastal areas becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding and increased risks of groundwater saline intrusion, these will impact on humans, infrastructure and wildlife habitats. Pollution from nutrients, metals, and emerging contaminants like microplastics and antimicrobial resistant genes further degrade ecosystem health. Physical modifications, such as essential impoundments for drinking water, hydropower and flood protection, disrupt natural flow regimes and habitat connectivity.

To build resilience, actions include restoring ecosystem connectivity, protecting groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and managing pollution. Nature-based solutions such as hedge and tree planting and other attenuation measures are promoted to mitigate downstream flooding and provide benefits to biodiversity supported by sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Programmes like the Wales Metal Mines initiative and statutory wastewater plans contribute to ecosystem protection. Investment in peatland restoration supports resilience to climate change through carbon sequestration, whilst reduction in water supply leakage reduces water loss and therefore pressure on water supply stocks These initiatives aim to reduce pressures and enhance the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to changing conditions.

Aim 3: Healthy Places for people, protected from environmental risk

Water plays a vital role in public health through supply for drinking, maintenance of hygiene standards and agriculture. Most abstractions are for public supply, in addition to this there are around 56,000 small private supplies which do not require a licence and are vulnerable to prolonged dry weather periods. Water also supports recreation and wellbeing. In 2023, 45% of surveyed adults had visited inland waters, with swimming being the most popular activity. Although 98% of bathing waters meet regulatory standards, concerns about water quality deter participation.

Flooding poses significant risks, with 275,000 properties currently at risk, projected to rise to 353,000 by 2120. Flooding impacts physical safety and mental health, especially in deprived communities less able to afford protection measures. Programmes like the Natural Flood Management Accelerator and flood alleviation schemes integrate environmental enhancements to benefit communities. Awareness campaigns and statutory planning frameworks aim to safeguard water supplies and promote equitable access and resilience.

Aim 4: Contributing to a Regenerative Economy, Achieving Sustainable Levels of Production and Consumption

Water underpins economic activity across sectors, with 11.9 million megalitres licensed for abstraction in 2024. Agriculture and urban development continue to exert pressure on water quality. Three Water Resource Zones are currently projected to face supply deficits by 2050, this shortfall will be addressed through both leakage and demand reduction. Efforts to reduce water usage include behavioural campaigns and efficiency targets.

The economic impacts from flooding can be substantial, including damage to vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure. Flood risk mitigation activities, including nature based solutions help reduce these economic losses. Nature based solutions offer cost effective ways for sustainably managing water across catchments. They improve water quality, alongside reducing flood risk and water treatments costs. These actions aim to align water management with circular economy principles and climate goals.

Key changes since SoNaRR2020

In SoNaRR 2020, evidence relating to water was not all one place. SoNaRR 2025 brings the Water evidence and assessment together.

Although Wales has experienced numerous storms, devastating floods and drought conditions impacting the communities and ecosystems of Wales the data has not shown significant changes in this period. Programmes such as those related to metal mines and SAC Rivers, and the Teifi Demonstrator Project aim to improve the quality of Wales’ waters.

Due to become law in 2026, the UK Government and devolved nations have agreed to implement mandatory water labelling on all water using appliances. The Independent Water Commission made recommendations in relation to the strategic direction for water legislation, regulation and planning, including plans to reduce demand by increased water metering.

Funding has been provided by the Welsh Government to increase the delivery of natural flood management, supporting the wider activities undertaken by flood risk management authorities to reduce risk of flooding to communities of Wales and enhance nature.

Read the full Water assessment in our State of Natural Resources Report 2025.

Underlying evidence

In writing our assessments and to better identify opportunities for action we have gathered evidence that helps us understand these key aspects:

• the drivers of change and pressures on water in Wales.
• the state and trends of state of water in Wales.
• the benefits and dis-benefits provided by water in Wales, depending on its state, and the impacts these can have on human well-being and ecosystems.

Access the detailed evidence through our SoNaRR 2025 Evidence portal.

View full screen version.

Evidence needs

Evidence needs related to water as a resource in Wales highlight the urgent requirement to understand and manage water availability, quality, and flood risk in the face of climate change, land use change, and increasing demand. Key areas include assessing the impact of exempt and previously unregulated abstractions on local water resources. An understanding is required on how climate change could impact water temperatures, microbial and chemical pollution and reductions in summer flow on private water supplies.

There is a need to monitor the effects of agricultural intensification and built development on water quality and quantity. It is necessary to improve water efficiency across sectors, through updated guidance, behavioural change, and technologies like rainwater harvesting. Evidence is also needed to track development within floodplains and to understand the impacts of flooding and coastal erosion on agricultural land and rural businesses. Natural flood management and sustainable drainage systems are being explored for their potential to mitigate flood risk while enhancing ecosystem resilience and water retention in the landscape. Understanding the hydrological impact of these interventions across larger catchments is needed to support and increase delivery.

Key evidence sources

Explore some of the evidence we have used to inform our assessment:

• SoNaRR 2020 Water Efficiency
• SoNaRR 2020 Marine Ecosystem and SoNaRR 2020 Freshwater Ecosystem
• Stats Wales Properties at risk of flooding
• NRW Water reports including River Basin management plans and Bathing Water Quality
• Water Watch Wales - Water Framework Directive Maps and data
• 2020 CSEMP assessment of contaminant and biological effect data (1999-2019)
• NRW Flooding reports, evidence and data
• Hafren Dyfrdwy (2024) ‘Water Resource Management Plan 2024’
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (2024b) ‘Final Water Resources Management Plan 2024’
  
  

Case studies

Dee River Basin District (Wales and England)

Welsh salmon populations are increasingly under pressure, and salmon are a primary feature of the Afon Dyfrydwy a Llyn Tegid Special Area of Conservation. Monitoring and tracking techniques have been used over the last eight years to better understand the movements of the fish through and around these structures. The evidence gathered is being used to change the way we work and how these assets are managed. The Upper Dee Steering Group, with members from NRW, Welsh Dee Trust, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Canoe Wales, and Eryri National Park, have all overseen and contributed to the work throughout all stages.

Natural Resources Wales / Helping the River Dee thrive: How NRW is making a difference

Western Wales River Basin District

Water quality improvements to Cemlyn Bay SAC. Cemlyn lagoon has an identified water quality issue from diffuse pollution. Opportunistic macroalgae have been observed in the smaller western lagoon, but with issues in both. 

The aim of the partnership project is to improve water quality by preventing stock access to the lagoon and feeder streams or ponds. This reduces nutrients being able to access the lagoon. Alternative drinking sources have been provided for the animals using pipes and troughs. Some areas have been planted with hedging, or native trees, or as orchard.

Natural Resources Wales / River basin management plans 2021-2027: interim programme of measures progress review

Conwy Opportunity Catchment

A landscape-scale project to improve the quality of the environment and heritage of the upper Conwy catchment. Working with local communities to deliver the goals of the Wellbeing Act, for present and future generations. Through this project we are making communities more resilient to climate change using nature-based solutions to restore natural processes, enabling nature to recover, and working with landowners and communities we are minimising pollution.

Upper Conwy catchment project | Wales | National Trust