Environment Agency Wales (EAW) and the Welsh Assembly Government have launched a new set of measures, which have been drawn up to further improve the quality of Welsh waters by 2015.

The River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) form part of efforts to improve and protect the water environment across England and Wales in order to meet new European Union (EU) targets and will bring together water companies, farming groups, industry and local authorities. Welsh rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastline and groundwaters are set to benefit as a result of the new measures, which it is hoped will encourage more wildlife to return to the country's waters.

Three river basin districts have been included in the RBMPs - Western Wales, the Dee and the Severn, which outline ways to tackle pollution and other major pressures on the water environment. EAW director Chris Mills said: "Our rivers are at their healthiest for more than a century. In the River Taff, much work has been done to improve water quality and construct fish passes where man-made developments have created barriers.

"Salmon and other fish are now thriving and returning to its upper reaches for the first time in more than 200 years. However, more work is still needed. Diffuse pollution from urban and rural land uses impacts water quality, and the spread of 'non-native' species threatens Wales' natural wildlife." Welsh environment minister Jane Davidson added: "These plans set out how we intend to repeat the success so far in three other river basin areas of Wales to ensure they are healthy thriving environments for people and wildlife."