The Environment Agency is stepping up its pumping operations on the Somerset Levels with additional pumping on both the Sowy and the King’s Sedgemoor Drain.

Working in partnership with Somerset County Council, local authorities and emergency services, additional pumps have been brought in to maximise the amount of floodwater that can be pumped away from the Somerset Levels and Moors. This will include increasing the volume of floodwater that goes down the Sowy and pumping at both Beer Wall and Dunball.

Five temporary pumps will be installed at Beer Wall on the A372, and eight temporary pumps at Dunball over the next few days. The pumps have been brought in from Holland from Van Heck, a Dutch company that specialises in water control and displacement. , So far the firm sent 21 large pumps and more than 30 truck-loads of pipework to Somerset. 

‘The Agency said that increasing the volume of floodwater passing down the Sowy will assist in reducing river levels in the Rivers Parrett and Tone. 

For the first couple of days only the pumps at Dunball will run, with the aim of lowering water levels in the King’s Sedgemoor system first. Monks Leaze Clyce will then be opened gradually and more flow diverted down the Sowy, over pumping at Beer Wall Sluice and pumping out on all states of the tide at Dunball.

John Rowlands. for thwe Agency commented:

‘We will monitor the impact on the system. The monitoring will be carried out by people on the ground and through our automated electronic monitoring systems.’ added 

The pumps are extremely large units and will require the main A372 road to stay closed for the period they are operating.