The Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Andrew John, has strongly condemned the pollution plaguing Welsh rivers, labelling it as "indefensible".

During a Church in Wales meeting in Newport, he pinpointed the harmful effects of raw sewage and agricultural practices on rivers, explicitly citing the "tragic" decline of the River Wye.

This concern arose after River Action initiated legal proceedings against the Environment Agency due to pollution from chicken farming. The Environment Agency refrained from commenting on ongoing legal matters.

Archbishop Andrew underscored the Church's duty to address issues of justice and fairness.

He said: “As we serve those around us, we do so as Christians. We are not an NGO nor an arm of government. We are compelled to speak out on issues where we believe something is out of place."

In an interview with ITV, Angela Jones, who has been monitoring water quality for years, echoed these sentiments, calling the current situation "diabolical" and praising the Archbishop's support as "absolutely marvellous".

Natural Resources Wales acknowledged improvements in river pollution but stressed that challenges persist. Sian Williams from Natural Resources Wales highlighted the new environmental pressures from farming practices and food production to the news outlet.

The Welsh Government said it is committed to ensuring water quality and emphasises collaboration with water companies for environmental enhancements. In a statement, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water outlined their investment plans for wastewater system improvements, aiming for significant environmental benefits by 2030.