Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Climate Change – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 21 September 2022.
Thank you, Minister. All of us in this Chamber know that this summer has been exceptionally hot and dry for a long period of time; indeed, March to August this year is likely to be the third-driest six-month period since records began in 1865. Despite a recent increase in rainfall, Natural Resources Wales confirmed earlier this month that all parts of Wales have moved to drought status. Obviously, this is of concern for people across the country who will need a reliable water supply for basic everyday activity. The lack of rainfall has placed even more pressure on the agricultural sector at an already difficult time, potentially increasing the cost of food further. Minister, how is the Welsh Government working with partners such as the UK Government, Welsh Water and NRW to secure better water supplies in Wales, and what considerations are you giving to accessing additional water supplies? I'll give you an example in my own constituency, where the water being pumped out from the Severn tunnel—the great spring, some 11 million gallons a day—is pouring into the Severn estuary. Some of that water is already used by a local brewery, some used to be used by the old paper mill, but there are 11 million gallons a day, and that could be perfect water that could be funneled and tunneled into local reservoirs, or whatever. It's just an example of how we could do more in this changing time we have.