Guidance

Groundwater flooding

Groundwater flooding, how it might affect you and what to do.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 1 August 2011
• Last updated: 20 September 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

• Guidance for Northern Ireland
• Guidance for Scotland
• Guidance for Wales

Groundwater flooding is when water under the ground (the water table) rises to the surface. Underground rooms, such as cellars and basements, are particularly at risk.

Groundwater flooding is more likely where there is chalk under the ground (the bedrock). It can also happen in places with sand and gravel, such as river valleys.

Check the risk

It is difficult to predict groundwater flooding. Groundwater levels are not monitored in every part of England. You can:

• check for current groundwater levels and alerts
• check the long-term flood risk in an area – this service has some data about groundwater flooding
• sign up for flood warnings by phone, text or email

You can also check with:

• your local council – find your local council
• the Environment Agency
• your parish or town council

You can pay a consulting engineer or chartered surveyor to do a flood risk assessment of your home.

Groundwater levels are monitored in some parts of southern England. You can check monitored groundwater levels and alerts.

Know the signs

These are some of the signs of groundwater flooding:

• water will come up through the ground or the floor (rather than through doors)
• flooding usually happens days, weeks or months after lots of rain
• it is usually slower than river flooding
• flooding may last for a long time – weeks or months
• the water doesn’t always appear where you would expect it to – for example, on the side of a hill

Staying safe

If your area is at risk of groundwater flooding, think ahead about how to stay safe. Read about how to prepare for flooding.

Find out what to do during a flood.

Protect your home

Find out about how you can protect your home from groundwater flooding.

Get information during groundwater flooding

During groundwater flooding, you can get information from:

• Floodline
• local radio
• the local council – find a local council

You can contact the emergency services by phoning 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Recover after groundwater flooding

You may need to pump water out after groundwater flooding. Find out about pumping flood water out of your property.

Read how to recover after a flood.

Get more help and information from Floodline

You can contact Floodline for advice:

Floodline
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
24-hour service
Find out about call charges

Published 1 August 2011
Last updated 20 September 2023 + show all updates

1. 20 September 2023

   Removed PDF and added relevant information to the page.

2. 1 August 2011

   First published.