This document provides information on the groundwater situation for Kent.
Flooding from groundwater can happen when the level of water within the rock or soil that makes up the land surface (known as the water table) rises. The level of the water table changes with the seasons due to variations in long term rainfall and water abstraction. When the water table rises and reaches ground level, water starts to emerge on the surface and flooding can happen.
Lead local flood authorities (the unitary or county council) are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from groundwater. They set out how they plan to do this in their local flood risk management strategies.
The Environment Agency has a strategic overview for all sources of flooding including groundwater. This means they will provide support to other risk management authorities. They supply information in the form of monitored groundwater levels. In some areas that have historically experienced groundwater flooding, the Environment Agency provide a groundwater alert or warning service.
Published 21 February 2014 Last updated 1 March 2023 +show all updates
Current situation and short term situation updated.
The current groundwater situation in Kent has been updated.
Updated with the groundwater situation for 14 February 2023.
Updated with January and early February groundwater situation
16 January 2023 groundwater situation added.
Current situation updated and new graph added.
Current situation updated.
Updated with January 2022 figures.
Updated report 17 December 2021.
The groundwater situation for January 2021.
Current situation for January 2021 updated and graph and map updated
Groundwater situation report for 24 February 2020 added.
10 February 2020 situation report added.
Latest groundwater update added for Kent and S London
