Two new temporary websites have been launched by the Environment Agency to support Dorset and Wiltshire residents coping with groundwater flooding and promote the response and recovery to flooding in Somerset.

Southern Water’s pilot project to prevent high groundwater levels inundating sewer pipes and flooding communities in an area of Hampshire has secured an 85% reduction in the need for emergency tankers.

Southern Water is still feeling the effects of heavy rainfall across the region this autumn – the water company is continuing to tackle the challenge of record rainfall and high groundwater levels this winter.

The latest Environment Agency water situation report says that last month was the driest February across England since 1993 with monthly rainfall totals below average for all catchments across England.

Europe has been experiencing a severe drought for years. Across the continent, groundwater levels have been consistently low since 2018, even if extreme weather events with flooding temporarily give a different picture.

The Environment Agency has reported that September rainfall totals were below the long-term average across most of England in its latest monthly water situation report.

The Environment Agency is warning that significant flood risk remains in place in parts of England – flood defences on the River Severn at Bewdley have now been overtopped.