Research and analysis

Kent groundwater situation: January 2025

Updated 17 January 2025

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

Following a short period of intense rainfall during the first week of January, the rate at which groundwater levels are rising accelerated. This acceleration followed a slower rise in groundwater levels, after a relatively dry second half of December.

Despite the short period of intense rainfall and associated acceleration, groundwater levels are still normal for this time of year in the eastern Kent area.

Short term forecast 

With conditions having been dryer for at least 1 week now, a slowdown of the initial rise in groundwater levels will continue possibly until the latter end of January, when wetter weather conditions are likely to become more prevalent.

Longer term forecast 

It is predicted the wetter weather conditions towards the latter end of January will be followed by conditions that will be more unsettled. Should this result in a period of intense rainfall over a longer time period, then groundwater levels might rise more sharply again.

However, the levels are not currently predicted to get high enough to cause any flooding. The likelihood of flooding to occur in February, March and possibly April is dependent on the amount and intensity of rainfall we receive and the onset and frequency of spring-like (bright) conditions in March and April.

If we receive higher than average rainfall from the latter end of January going forward, groundwater flooding of basements and low-lying land could still occur. This may also result in winter Bournes (rivers that flow in winter because of high groundwater levels) such as the Nailbourne, Alkham Bourne and Petham Bourne flowing more extensively.

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:

Graph showing the trend of groundwater levels since March 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 15 January 2025.

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