Wales' Future Generations commissioner, Derek Walker, has declared that people have had enough of poor water quality in the country.

Announcing a Call for Evidence, Mr Walker highlights his push for cleaner rivers and seas, as he believes the future generations deserve more effort from everyone to achieve this.

The announcement comes ahead of Wales Nature Week, revealing the Commissioner’s collaboration with Dr Nerys Llewellyn Jones, the interim environmental protection sssessor for Wales.

Mr Jones, who oversees the functioning of environmental laws in the country and offers independent advice to Welsh ministers, has triggered the Call for Evidence on water quality.

This summer marks the first ever Call for Evidence to gather crucial evidence on if the laws to protect the Welsh waterways are fit for purpose.

Spearheading this review will be the deputy interim environmental protection assessor, Anna Heslop.

Collaborating with the Future Generations Commissioner, the review's findings will set the stage for recommendations aimed at Welsh ministers.

These will be published during autumn, indicating how Wales can improve its laws to curb pollution and protect both the environment and public health.

Mr Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales since March 2023, has prioritized climate and nature in his seven-year strategy, Cymru Can.

His duties include challenging public bodies, inclusive of the Welsh Government, to act in the interests of the present and future generations.

He stated: "Our waterways are in crisis with problems including sewage leaks, agricultural pollution and chemical spills and for current and future generations, we have to act now to save them.

"People are fed up with excuses and want accountability – and to be assured that we'll have access to clean water and thriving nature in the future.

"The laws and regulations relating to water quality are complex - Wales has its own environmental legislation, a different regulator and a not-for-profit water company.

"It’s time to review how these laws are working."

Ms Heslop added: "Clean water is a necessity, not only to provide healthy rivers and lakes, but also to support people’s well-being.

"We are keen to understand people’s views on how the current laws are working, and if there are better ways we could be doing things in Wales."

The questionnaire for the Call for Evidence can be found on https://www.gov.wales/water-quality-report-call-evidence and will be open till Monday, August 5, 2024.

Views on water quality in Wales can also be shared via e-mail to IEPAW@gov.wales with the subject "Water quality evidence".