Clwyd West MS Darren Millar visited the Alwen Reservoir and Alwen Water Treatment Works, near Cerrigydrudion, this week to meet with representatives from the Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water Dam Safety Team and find out how the pandemic has affected water supply.

The Water Treatment Works was upgraded and reopened by Darren back in 2017, and recent works on the 105 year old Alwen Reservoir Dam have improved its resilience and made the works more efficient.

During his visit, Darren was given a tour of the treatment plant and discussed the increased demand for water due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Darren said;

“Having officially opened the Alwen water treatment works following its upgrade four years ago, it was great to return for an update.

“Despite the dam being more than 100 years old, I was told that it’s in great nick and that the recent works have made it even more resilient for the future.

“I was also told that the pandemic has resulted in an increased demand for water due to people washing their hands more frequently and the increased number of staycations in the areas supplied by the Alwen Water Treatment Works so it provided me with an opportunity to thank the unsung heroes who we can all too often take for granted when we turn on the taps at home.

“I want to thank Welsh Water for the extra insight into their work and for their hardworking staff for all they do 365 days of the year.”

Darren added:  

“As well as supplying drinking water to homes and businesses in Denbighshire and Flintshire, the Alwen is a fantastic place to visit, with wonderful walking and mountain bike trails, and is close to the Llyn Brenig visitor centre, which has café, toilets, fishing shop, play area and bike and boat hire. It’s always a pleasure to visit and I look forward to my next trip.”