01743 298100
enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
    • Detailed Drainage Design
  • Data & Services
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Risk
    • FloodSmart Analytics
    • Case Studies
    • News
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

Understanding groundwater flood risk

Posted on November 18th 2015 in Blog, Flooding, Groundwater Flood Forecasting, GW5

What is groundwater flooding?

Groundwater flooding occurs when sub-surface water emerges from the ground at the surface or into Made Ground and structures. This may be as a result of persistent rainfall that recharges aquifers until they are full; or may be as a result of high river levels, or tides, driving water through near-surface deposits. This can result in sewer flooding, damage to building fabric and disruption to economic activity due to the long duration of flood events. Whilst groundwater flooding is generally less hazardous to human health than surface flooding, it is more hazardous to property for a given flood depth, producing 2 to 4 times the damage to building fabric and greater disruption to economic activity due to the longer duration of flood events.

Characteristics of groundwater flooding

  • Water flows to the surface or into basements, service ducts and other subsurface infrastructure rising up through floors or directly from the ground. This may be seen as diffuse seepage from the ground or an increase in spring flows. Slope stability may be affected.
  • Flooding may last a long time compared to surface water flooding, from weeks to months. Hence property damage may be substantially higher and closures of access routes, roads, railways prolonged.
  • Flooding may occur with a delay following periods of high rainfall. Emergent groundwater tends to be clear but potential contamination by sewers and brownfield sites poses additional hazards.

Groundwater flooding or a shallow water table prevents rainfall infiltration and increases the risk of surface water flooding. Lack of evidence for groundwater conditions may lead to incorrect analysis of overall flood causes.

Groundwater Flood Risk Mapping

The requirement to understand and map the extent of groundwater flood risk has arisen in response to well publicised groundwater flood events, in 2001 and 2013/14, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Law Society Practice Note concerning flood risk for property transactions. Enhancing resilience to extreme weather will be a significant aspect of future economic competitiveness, and mapping of groundwater flood risk areas provides important preparation support for emergency response, flood mitigation and land-use planning, as well as the assessment of climate change impact. The latest GeoSmart 5m Groundwater Flood Risk Map is the most sophisticated on the market providing detailed groundwater flood risk information on individual properties.

Contact us for more information on groundwater flood risk assessment and our range of maps and reports.

Posted by PaulEllis
Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Contact Us

  • Please choose the product(s) you would like further information on.
  • If possible please give as much information about your site / property as you can and attach a site plan if available. This will enable us to provide you with the best assistance.
  • (If available)
  • Please upload your file in PDF format. (Max 4MB)
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 4 MB.
    • Hidden
    • Hidden

    See what our customers have to say...

    "During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
    Linda Barton
    "We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
    Gregory Gray
    Gregory Gray Associates
    "I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
    Martin Lloyd
    Martin Lloyd Associates
    "Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
    Robert McCall
    OeMO Ltd
    "Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
    Nigel Slack
    Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
    "The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
    Ben Thorns
    Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
    "The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
    Craig Roberts
    Hunter Page
    "Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
    Geraint Harris
    Vitec Consult
    "We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
    Alan Gunne-Jones
    Planning & Development Associates
    "The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
    John Childs
    Private Developer
    Find out more about how we can support you today!
    Get in touch
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    © 2022 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

    Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
    Old Bank Buildings,
    Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
    SY1 1HU

    Company No. 5475394

    Contact Us
    Call 01743 298100
    Email enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk
    Legal Links
    • Privacy Policy
    • CDM Regulations
    • Terms & Conditions
    Website by Ascendancy