Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have released an update on an ongoing investigation into toxic chemical waste leaking from a quarry near Caerphilly. The Ty Llwyd Quarry, near to Ynysddu, is believed to contain highly carcinogenic PCBs and other pollutants which were dumped at the site decades ago by chemical company Monsanto from its Newport factory.
Manufacturing of PCBs, which were widely used in electric equipment, was banned in the UK in 1981 after tests revealed them to be deadly to humans and wildlife. The leakage came to a head in January this year when those who live in the area below the council-owned quarry said that after heavy rain a potent-smelling brown foamy liquid flows from the site down through woodland and past homes.
Many are concerned the substance is potentially harmful to inhabitants and that it could be entering the Sirhowy River and eventually spilling into the Celtic Sea. The local council claims the liquid is “normal surface water” but has urged people to stay away from the quarry and surrounding area during periods of heavy rainfall.
Read more: Villagers in Wales fear toxic waste is leaking from Monsanto dump site
In May 2021 the council had a drainage system installed which it said was designed to keep surface run-off separate from any contaminated liquid, also known as leachate. It claims the leachate does not leave council-owned land with a spokesman adding: “The improvement works have been designed to collect as much of the leachate as possible from the site and from the woodland below the site and encourage it into one location. Following its collection the leachate and any surface water (from rainfall or from the cap drainage) from the site is naturally agitated to encourage some of the contamination to turn into a vapour, therefore improving the water quality before it is sent back into the ground.”
However photographs taken in January show a brown foamy liquid overflowing from the drainage system and spilling through a fenced-off area down the mountainside towards the village.
PCBs were manufactured in south Wales and used for various purposes, such as dielectric and heat transfer fluids, carbonless copy paper and pesticide manufacturing. They are no longer produced and have limited use. Due to their persistence they are still found in the environment and accumulate in sediments and wildlife.
Now NRW have issued an update on the investigation. Jon Goldsworthy, operations manager south east, said: “Following a report of a pollution incident at Ty Llwyd quarry in Caerphilly in January this year we have been in regular discussions with Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) on measures required to control the risks of pollution from the site.
“We are in pre-application discussions with CCBC over the potential requirement for an environmental permit. As the council considers the possible improvement options we will continue to provide technical advice and review any remediation proposals produced to ensure people and the environment are protected.
“Our investigation into the pollution incident at Ynysddu in January is ongoing. We have received the full suite of sample results which are currently being interpreted. Once this process has been completed, appropriate and proportionate action will be determined. If anyone sees any further signs of pollution in the area they should report it to our incident hotline on 0300 065 3000.”
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