Questions are being raised over unusually high water levels at Alverstone Weir, where one property owner has been left puzzled by rising water despite the Isle of Wight being in drought and experiencing weeks of exceptionally dry conditions.
The Environment Agency has confirmed that its own telemetry shows levels at the weir have been fluctuating and appear higher than in previous years.
It comes despite there having been very little rainfall over the past 2 months, with the Environment Agency declaring the Isle of Wight to be in drought on 29th July.
Among those concerned are Mike King and his family, who live at The Mill in Alverstone, a property dating back to the 1500s with the watercourse running through the back garden.
Mike lives there with his wife and their dogs, chickens, sheep and goats.
Water at the weir was measured at around 2.3m in March but subsequently increased to around 2.5m, remaining around that level in the months since.
For Mike and his family, the concern is not only why the water is currently so high during such dry conditions, but what could happen when significant rainfall eventually returns.
They fear that with levels already elevated, future heavy rainfall could result in the weir bursting its banks and flooding their garden.
The family has contacted the Environment Agency about the situation, but an explanation for the apparent change in levels has not been provided.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency has said:
“Our telemetry data shows that water levels at Alverstone Weir have been fluctuating and appear higher than in previous years.
Article continues below this advertisement “We do not have any Environment Agency assets in the immediate area and have not received any reports of unusual activity. Our teams are visiting the site this week to carry out an assessment, and we will provide further updates as appropriate once this is complete.
“Members of the public who notice anything unusual on the river should report it by calling the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 or by submitting a report through www.gov.uk/report-flood-cause”
The concerns come as separate plans progress for Southern Water’s Isle of Wight Water Recycling Project, which includes a proposed outfall at Alverstone around 50m from Mike’s garden.
The scheme would eventually see purified recycled water released into the Eastern River Yar, but there is no evidence to suggest the proposed project is connected to the current elevated levels.
The Environment Agency is now due to assess the site, with further updates expected once that work has been completed.
