For the first time, the Welsh Language Commissioner has set Welsh language standards on institutions that aren’t considered public bodies by including water companies that operate in Wales in the list of institutions to which the standards are mandatory. Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) and Hafren Dyfrdwy (severn Dee) will have to comply with the Welsh language standards from August 2025 onwards. Since now, the companies have been operating Welsh Language Schemes in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993. The news follows the approval of the Welsh Language Standards Regulations (No. 9) by the Senedd which has enabled the Commissioner to set specific standards for water and sewage companies.
In a statement, Osian Llywelyn, Osian Llywelyn, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner and Director of Regulation said:
‘We welcome this significant step of bringing water companies, which provide key services to the public in Wales, under the provisions of the Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011.
The standards aim to ensure that the Welsh language is not treated less favourably than English in Wales. As we noted in our recent report – Delivering change together – the enforceable system of Welsh language standards is much more effective, and leads to better services and a real increase in opportunities for people to use the Welsh language.
The Welsh language belongs to us all and it is vital that the language is promoted and facilitated prominently. By issuing a compliance notice to water companies, our aim is to not only see new opportunities to use the Welsh language in a wider range of situations in Wales, but also to increase the use of these services.
I would like to thank Dŵr Cymru and Hafren Dyfrdwy for their willing cooperation during the process of setting Welsh language standards. In line with our approach to co-regulation, we look forward to further collaboration as they prepare for the new phase, and we will assist and advise them on the next part of the journey.’
In the same statement Dŵr Cymru Chief Executive Officer Peter Perry said:
‘We have shown a long-standing commitment to the Welsh Language at Dŵr Cymru, and we fully support the Commissioner’s long-term plan to ensure people can use the Welsh language in all aspects of their lives, in all parts of Wales. It is important to us that we provide the outstanding customer service bilingually, and we are already so active in this space ahead of the legal duty that will be placed on us from next summer.’
Louise Moir, Customer Experience and Strategy Lead at Hafren Dyfrdwy added,
‘As a company in the heart of Powys and Wrexham, we are fully aware of the importance of being able to offer our services to our customers in their preferred language and this is something we do and have already committed to continue. Our language schemes demonstrate clear evidence of our commitment and as we come under the Standards in the future we look forward to building on that strong platform.’
You can read the Commissioner’s recent report ‘Delivering change together’ by following this link. To learn more about the Welsh Language Standards and how they work, follow this link to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s website.
