Pang Valley Flood Forum

22/08/2026

What happens when it rains after a drought?

After a drought, dry ground doesn't always absorb water as quickly as you might think.

Watch Dr Rob Thompson from Reading's Department of Meteorology demonstrate this and see why heavy rainfall following dry conditions can increase the risk of flash flooding.

In this demonstration Dr Rob Thompson from the Department of Meteor...

16/08/2026

🌊Local River Update

West Berkshire Groundwater Scheme (WBGWS)

The Environment Agency (EA) will be turning on the West Berkshire Groundwater Scheme to help manage the ongoing drought in the Thames region.

❓What is the WBGWS?

It’s a network of underground boreholes and pipes built in the 1970s. During severe droughts, the EA uses it to pump groundwater directly into local rivers (including the Pang). This water flows downstream into the River Thames, where Thames Water abstracts it to maintain public drinking water supplies for London.

❓Where does abstraction and discharge happen?

🔵Upstream abstraction

Pumping takes place at the top end of the valley (around the West / East Ilsley and Compton areas).

🔵Discharge location

The scheme pumps out the water into the River Pang downstream of Bucklebury village.

📆Start date

Pumping is scheduled to begin in phases from 24 August 2026.

⬆Higher river flows

You will see a noticeable increase in water levels and flow along the River Pang. Please take extra care if walking dogs or children along footpaths near the water’s edge.

👔EA presence

You may see more EA personnel around the area conducting routine environmental and water-quality testing while the scheme is active.

⚠️Reporting issues

If you spot any problems along the river, you can report them to the EA Incident Hotline on ☎️0800 80 70 60.

10/05/2026

A large number of paint tins, some open and leaking into the water, have been fly-tipped into the Sulham Brook.

Members of the local community assisted in removing the polluting items along with other construction waste from the river, all of which has been fly-tipped into the Sulham Brook in recent weeks.

The incident was reported to the Environment Agency who gave permission for the waste to be removed to the roadside.

03/05/2026

A huge amount of construction waste has been fly-tipped into the Sulham Brook again. This is one of several incidents in recent weeks, and is the worst one yet.
West Berkshire Council Environment Agency Thames Valley Police Pangbourne Parish Council

22/04/2026

Plasterboard all over the Sulham Brook river bed at location ///trip.puddles.actor

Pangbourne Flood Wardens unable to retrieve the waste because it crumbles when handled.

West Berkshire Council and Environment Agency - will you take action to deter people from fly-tipping into our river?

22/04/2026

Yet more construction waste thrown into and along the banks of the Sulham Brook.

Occurred between Tuesday night and early hours of Wednesday morning.

West Berkshire Council - can you take any action to prevent this from happening? It is the third incident this past fortnight, and one of many that have occurred (and been reported) to the council/EA over the last few years.

20/04/2026

More construction materials thrown into the Sulham Brook at the end of last week.

Removed by Pangbourne Flood Wardens and stacked on the roadside for collection by the council.

McDonald's drive-thru receipt retrieved with the rubbish.

16/04/2026

On Tuesday afternoon, two Pangbourne flood wardens removed a large amount of mostly construction waste from a 350m stretch of the Sulham Brook, between Home Farm and the A329.

The waste comprised mainly of plasterboard, wood panelling, plastic rubbish bags, and asbestos roofing panels.

Unfortunately some of the plasterboard could not be retrieved because it disintegrated when handled, and the asbestos roofing was too heavy to remove (and is potentially hazardous to health).

The waste that was successfully removed was stacked by the side of the road, reported to the council, and has since been collected.

The asbestos has been reported to the Environment Agency who are responsible for maintaining main river courses.

The flood wardens took action on this occasion because historically the Environment Agency have been very slow, or entirely absent, to act upon reports of fly tipping into the Sulham Brook.

The photos and show the appalling amount of waste that someone or some people thought appropriate to dispose of into our river.

For reference, pollution or blockages in a river should be reported to the Environment Agency here:

https://www.gov.uk/report-environmental-problem

Fly-tipped waste on other public land (not a river) should be reported to West Berkshire Council here:

https://www.westberks.gov.uk/report-litter-and-fly-tipping