Hertfordshire and North London: groundwater situation
The latest update on monitored groundwater levels and whether there are any groundwater alerts or warnings in force.
Applies to England
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These pages provide information on the groundwater situation for Hertfordshire and North London.
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.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 May 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the groundwater situations for Flamstead, north-west Hertfordshire and Kimpton and Lilley Bottom, north Hertfordshire.
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Groundwater briefings added for Chesham Vale, Flamstead, and Kimpton and Lilley Bottom.
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Updates to groundwater situation dated 10 April 2024 have been added for Chesham Vale, Flamstead, and Kimpton and Lilley Bottom.
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Updates to groundwater situation, 3 April 2024 for: 1) Chesham Vale, Buckinghamshire 2) Flamstead, north-west Hertfordshire,3) Kimpton and Lilley Bottom, north Hertfordshire.
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Groundwater briefings added for Chesham Vale, Flamstead, and Kimpton and Lilley Bottom.
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First published.