Water

Water shortage is often cited as the reason to conserve water but in Swansea, which has the second highest rainfall in Britain, you may find that hard to swallow! Despite the apparent abundance of water in this part of the UK, it still takes a lot of energy and technology to bring it to us safe and clean to drink.

Fresh water habitats such as ponds and marshlands are crucial for a wide range of species but have become scarce over recent centuries due to development and land drainage schemes. The increasing demands for water from householders and industries puts great pressure on reservoirs and the rivers that supply them and impacts on biodiversity. Low river levels also increase concentration of pollutants in the water, meaning there is less oxygen for the plant and animal life.

On the Trail...

Swansea Community Farm has a very large and impressive rainwater collection and reuse system. Large plastic vats (reclaimed from a drinks company) collect the rainwater which is used to flush toilets and to top up water troughs in the animal paddocks.

Gors Community School teach about the importance of water here and overseas. They encourage pupils and staff to minimise the water they use and have installed hippo bags in toilet cisterns to reduce the amount of water used each flush.

Crymlyn Bog National Nature Reserve is the most extensive lowland fen in Wales and a wetland of international importance featuring a range of interesting species of birds, insects and plants.

The WWT National Wetland Centre Wales encompasses saltmarsh, freshwater lagoons, ponds and reedbeds. The range of habitats makes the site a refuge for many different plants and animals, and especially birds.

The Down to Earth Project, Gower Wildflower Café and Llys Nini Animal Centre all use reedbed systems as a natural way to filter and clean waste water.