As floodwaters subside in Southern England, a borehole company has warned that floodwater could pose hidden dangers to private water supplies.

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Poultry and livestock farmers, who are often among private water supply users, ought to have their water tested as "a priority after extreme weather conditions," warned Brian Morgan, chief executive of borehole installers WD & AD Morgan on Friday.

As a result of contamination from sewage or other sources, flood water may contain bacteria, protozoa, parasites, viruses (micro organisms) or other substances.

Last week, NFU Herbage Group Chair, Brian Lock, called on the union's members to donate seed to help flood victims in the south-West re-sow. In a letter to members, Lock added, "We are intending through the NFU Crops Board to widen this initiative to include seed of cereals and pulses as we anticipate the need for seed for cover crops to sow with herbage seed."

As with fodder donated to farmers affected by flooding, the seed will likely be required over coming weeks, rather than right away, as the after-effects of flood damage are likely to go on affecting farmers after the waters have receded.

Floodwaters recede

Across Southern and central England, river levels continued to fall over the weekend, including along the Thames and the Severn, where flooding earlier this month was most severe.

However, the Environment Agency warned on Sunday that "the reduction in flood risk across the south will be slow," and suggested properties in flood-hit areas could remain flooded for some time, as unsettled weather is likely to slow the water's retreat.

Weather over the next five days may also exacerbate problems in some areas. High winds and large waves are expected in the South, which have the potential to bring more flooding to coastal areas where flood defences have been damaged by recent storms. Two severe flood warnings remain in force in the South West, where the country's largest ever pumping operation is ongoing on the Somerset Levels.

Meanwhile, hilly areas of the North West saw extremely heavy rain over the weekend and a band of rain brought downpours across high areas of western England on Sunday night. However, Met Office forecasters said the rain would peter out before reaching the South East. More heavy rain is forecast for South Western parts on Tuesday.