Research and analysis

Kent groundwater situation: 16 December 2024

Updated 20 December 2024

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kent-groundwater-situation/kent-groundwater-situation-10-february-2020

Current situation

Groundwater levels in Kent are now rising after a couple of weeks of intense rainfall received in the first 2 weeks of December. This rise is part of a process that we refer to as groundwater recharge.

Groundwater levels are currently classified as normal for this time of year in the eastern Kent area. This aligns with the normal rainfall received in most of the Kent rainfall areas in the past 6 months.

Short term forecast 

Weather forecasts for the next one or 2 weeks predict conditions that are likely to be settled with intermittent spells of rain. Due to the prolonged fall since the end of the previous recharge season, groundwater levels are now normal for this time of year.

However, since the beginning of December, levels have started to rise, and with the rainfall received recently, this is expected to continue.

Longer term forecast 

It is likely that groundwater levels will continue to rise until the end of the groundwater recharge season, which typically ends in the spring. However, the levels are not currently predicted to get high enough to cause any flooding.

The likelihood of flooding to occur over the next 2 months is dependent on the amount and intensity of rainfall we receive. If we receive higher than average rainfall during this period going forward, groundwater flooding of basements and low-lying land could occur. This may also result in winter bournes (rivers which flow in winter because of high groundwater levels) such as the Nailbourne, Alkham Bourne and Petham Bourne flowing more extensively.

Graph showing the trend of groundwater levels since February 2023 at the Little Bucket Farm Observation Borehole at Petham in North Downs of East Kent overlying a background of colour banding indicating relatively high and low conditions. Levels are normal for this time of the year on 16 December 2024.

What the Environment Agency is doing 

We will continue to monitor groundwater levels across Kent and provide situation report updates throughout the remainder of this winter. The next report will be published next month unless the situation changes significantly. 

We will take evidence-based decisions. If conditions deteriorate, we will notify our partners (including lead local flood authorities and water companies). We will also actively engage with our partners to help them prepare for incident response.

Actions and advice

There is practical advice on what to do before, during and after groundwater flooding, and further guidance about groundwater flooding, how it might affect you and what to do.

Next update

We will continue to monitor groundwater levels closely and we will provide a further update next month unless there are any significant changes.

Further information

You can view:

Contacts

If you have any questions, email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The Environment Agency offers free Groundwater Flood Alerts. You can:

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