A Powys MP has defended his record on sewage after criticism from TV’s Iolo Williams.

MP for Montgomeryshire Craig Williams was criticised online by the county’s famous TV naturalist who shared an article that listed the MPs who voted down an amendment to the latest environment bill.

The amnedment would have placed a legal duty on water companies “to make improvements to their sewerage systems and demonstrate progressive reductions in the harm caused by discharges of untreated sewage.”

In a tweet the TV star called out Mr Williams and said “@craig4monty I see your name’s on this list. Can you explain to your constituents why you voted to allow @DwrCymru and others to dump sewage in Welsh rivers?”

READ MORE: 'Horrifying' sewage data shows Powys blackspot saw seven months of leaks in one year

Mr Williams has since defended his record and said: “I have offered to meet with Iolo on several occasions regarding this matter, and my offer still stands.”

“It is Hafren Dyfrdwy as opposed to Dwr Cymru who supplies Montgomeryshire, and who over the last year have seen a reduction in storm overflow activations,” said Mr Williams.

“Hafren Dyfrdwy assure me that they are committed to ensuring that storm overflows and waste treatment works cause no harm to rivers by 2030, and will support improved river quality across Montgomeryshire through targeted investment schemes.

“It is important to recognise that storm overflows prevent sewage from going back up the way it came. It is simply not the case though that sewage is being pumped into our waterways on a daily basis, and is only carried out in periods of high rainfall."

Nationally the government has been subject to fierce criticism from environmental groups and opposition parties – with recent figures revealing that sewage was entering Welsh fresh water for over combined 600,000 hours last year.  

However, Mr Williams has defended the Government’s record including the recent Environment Act which requires more transparency from water companies and the environment agency about leaks as well as enforcing duties to publish this information.

He also cites the new requirements to monitor water quality near these leaks as well as duties to improve infrastructure.

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“I supported a new package of reforms that have placed a legal duty on all water companies to upgrade their facilities over a 10-year period, and new fines have been introduced for water companies that illegally use storm overflows other than for their stated use,” said Mr Williams.

“This Conservative Government has overseen a massive expansion in the monitoring frequency and duration of discharges, from just 5 per cent in 2016 to 90 per cent today – which has been fundamental in holding water companies to account.

“The Welsh Government also has a significant role over storm overflow discharge, and I am concerned that some of the biggest problems are occurring within Wales (not Montgomeryshire). It is vital that we work together in partnership to improve our water quality across the UK.”