Reassurance Over Storm Tank After Flash Flood

Anglian Water say a storm tank in Market Harborough town centre was operating normally during Saturday’s flash flood.

Questions were asked after serious flooding in and around the High Street led to water entering some shops and businesses.

The tank – under the Commons Car Park – provides additional storage for rainwater during extreme weather and has a capacity close to three million litres of water.

Flooded streets in Market Harborough town centre on Saturday

Anglian Water say the sheer intensity of the rain in a short period of time meant surface water could simply not drain away quickly enough.

A spokesperson told HFM: “Both the storm tank and the network are working as they should.

“Intense rainfall can cause standing water to build up, especially on hard surfaces because there’s nowhere for it to go, this causes surface water flooding.

“It’s a bit like a bath plughole, and it takes time for the water to drain away.

“Our teams are working hard across the region to ensure our sewer network is running as it should and can take this surface water away as quickly as possible.”

According to the Met Office, parts of Market Harborough received more than 32mm of rain per hour on Saturday.

Typically, the Midlands receives an average of about 60mm of rainfall across the whole of September.

Leicestershire Council Council has responded to concerns blocked drains contributed to the flash flood.

Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways, transport and flooding, said: “The drains in Market Harborough are regularly cleaned and on our highest priority schedule.

“When manholes and gullies start to surcharge water, it usually indicates the system couldn’t cope with the intensity of rainfall.”