Environmental Effects of the Somerset Levels flood

• 6900 hectares of agricultural land underwater for over a month
• Some water became deoxygenated, affecting aquatic life and leaving a black scum on the fields
• Floodwater contained raw sewage, dead animals, and toxic waste
• How did the floods affect the environment?

  Floodwater transported sewage, chemicals, and debris to other areas and affected the Levels ecosystems
• Water had to be reoxygenated before being pumped back into rivers
• How had dredging helped manage the Somerset Levels future flood risk?

  8km of the River Tone and River Parrett have been dredged, removing 130,000 cubic metres of silt. This has increased rivers' capacities
• How has drainage and drainage management been improved after the Somerset Levels floods?

  Culverts have been added under roads and some roads have been raised

  Sustainable Drainage Systems guidance for those developing in urban areas
• How is Somerset better preparing for higher sea levels and tides contributing to flood risk?

  A tidal barrier will be built at Bridgwater by 2024
• How many homes and businesses could the Bridgwater tidal barrier potentially protect?

  11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses