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Policy paper: Thames: groundwater situation

Environment Agency

February 7
16:00 2023

Details

This document provides information on the groundwater situation for:

  • West Berkshire
  • North East Wiltshire
  • Surrey
  • Windsor
  • Maidenhead
  • North East Hampshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Vale of White Horse

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 authority 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 28 March 2014
Last updated 7 February 2023 +show all updates
  1. Updated with briefing dated 7 February 2023.

  2. Updated with briefing dated 31 January 2023.

  3. Updating with briefing dated 24 January 2023.

  4. We have published an updated briefing note.

  5. We have published an updated briefing note.

  6. Updated groundwater situation 10 January 2023.

  7. Updated groundwater situation 4 January 2023.

  8. Update 04 May added.

  9. 20 April update added.

  10. Updated groundwater situation 29 March 2021

  11. 22 March groundwater situation update.

  12. Updated groundwater situation 15 March 2021.

  13. Updated groundwater situation 8 March 2021

  14. Updated groundwater situation 1 March 2021.

  15. Update groundwater situation 22 Feb.

  16. Updated groundwater situation 15 February 2021.

  17. Thames groundwater situation updated 08 Feb 2021.

  18. Updated groundwater situation 02 Feb 2021.

  19. Thames groundwater briefing note 25 January 2021

  20. Updated with briefing note 18 January 2021.

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