Using water efficiently, protecting local water resources and reducing flooding and drought
Where do we need to be?
Greater frequency and intensity of storms is expected, with extreme rainfall. Our properties, the highway network and the local landscape need to be resilient in the face of these changes.
The upper Brue catchment has a role to play in reducing the impact of adverse weather on the Somerset Levels. Getting water out of the town as quickly as possible via the river may not always be the most appropriate solution. Instead, we should ‘slow the flow’.
Where are we now?
Bruton is protected from river flooding by its dam, but flash-flooding is occurring to a significant extent and may become a threat to property.
This has been compounded by poor and reactive rather than pro-active gulley clearance by Somerset Highways, and the likely impact of Somerset Council cuts to services.
BrueCREW has been established to improve the river for people and for wildlife.
Many older and more remote properties are not on mains drainage.
What do we need to do?
A review of the Town Council planning policy should include compulsory water storage, grey water harvesting measures and resilience to extreme rainfall.
BrueCREW will work with others to ‘slow the flow’, particularly in Lusty and Coombe Brooks.
