Work begins on clearing Somerset Levels of floodwater

8:50am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Bridgwater Area News

Work begins on clearing Somerset Levels of floodwater Work begins on clearing Somerset Levels of floodwater

THE Environment Agency has reduced the amount of water on the Somerset Levels following last week’s heavy rainfall.

Pumping stations are pumping water into the rivers as levels have reduced sufficiently.

John Rowlands, of the Environment Agency, said: "The risk of property flooding has now passed and we have to deal with the significant amount of water which is now stored in the flood plain on the Somerset levels.

"Due to the nature of Somerset and historic drainage practices, the only way this water can be removed is by pumping."

People are being urged to register with the flood warning service by calling Floodline on 0845-9881188.

Comments(7)

Hombre says...
1:54pm Wed 9 May 12

If the water is not pumped, I presume it will sink down, eventually, and thereby raise the water table.
From what I understand regarding the drought, it is the water table that needs 'topping up'.

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mikeymike says...
2:54pm Wed 9 May 12

Shame it couldn't be pumped direct into the reservoir!

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ohdearithappenedagain says...
7:56pm Wed 9 May 12

mikeymike wrote:
Shame it couldn't be pumped direct into the reservoir!
Perhaps what we need are more houses and businesses to be built in the flood plains.
Ergo - Economy solved.
Extra jobs created to build the properties.
Extra profit for the insurance companies to spend the higher premiums on more staff.
Jobs for the maintenance sector to help clean up after each flood and jobs for the fire and rescue service to come and pluck people off their roofs when they get trapped.
It's what's known in middle management as a 'win-win' situation.

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MR.GOF says...
9:44pm Wed 9 May 12

ohdearithappenedagai
n wrote:
mikeymike wrote: Shame it couldn't be pumped direct into the reservoir!
Perhaps what we need are more houses and businesses to be built in the flood plains. Ergo - Economy solved. Extra jobs created to build the properties. Extra profit for the insurance companies to spend the higher premiums on more staff. Jobs for the maintenance sector to help clean up after each flood and jobs for the fire and rescue service to come and pluck people off their roofs when they get trapped. It's what's known in middle management as a 'win-win' situation.
now thats funny,best laugh i`ve had all day.....

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Hombre says...
1:38pm Fri 11 May 12

If the houses were built on stilts, there would also be more work for the boat builders.

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choppy says...
10:15pm Fri 11 May 12

i agree - why cant it be pumped into the reservoirs as evidently there is a water shortage !! and we are on island - i can only think our water providers have got it wrong

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TechnoCat says...
12:57am Sun 13 May 12

If the authorities are pumping water off the Levels, can they get rid of the scum too?.

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