Groundwater flooding for the Piddle Valley

High groundwater levels are expected to cause flooding. Flooding is expected from the 28th January 2026. Groundwater levels in West Dorset remain high. Areas that could be affected include: Piddletrentide, Plush, Piddlehinton, Puddletown, Tolpuddle and Affpuddle. The groundwater level at the Doles Ash borehole has risen to 126m, and is expected to remain high in the next few days. Residents are advised to prepare property resilience measures and ensure that pumps are working where they have been installed. Residents may experience inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems. Flooding of roads is expected, take particular care when driving. We are closely monitoring the situation . If you have a pump, make sure it is working and switched on. Think about alternative power sources in case of power cuts . This message will be updated by 11:00AM on 03 February 2026 or as the situation changes.