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Flooding from Groundwater Flooding from groundwater Practical advice to help you reduce the impact of flooding from groundwater We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to make people aware of flooding from rivers and the sea, provide flood warning services and build and maintain flood defences. In some areas we can also provide flood warning services for flooding from groundwater. This leaflet contains useful information to help you reduce the effects of flooding on you and your property. If you live in an area that could be affected by flooding from groundwater then this guide is for you. It contains useful information to help you reduce the impact of groundwater flooding on your property The LGA welcomes the advice provided in this information leaflet Published by: Environment Agency Horizon House Deanery Rd, Bristol, BS10 6BF Tel: 03708 506 506* Email: [email protected] * Calls to 03 numbers cost no www.environment-agency.gov.uk more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 © Environment Agency and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with including mobile, BT, other fixed prior permission of the Environment Agency. line or payphone. FLHO0911BUGI-E-P September 2011 Flooding from groundwater Floods can happen anywhere and at anytime. The most common sources of flooding There are some key features of are: flooding from groundwater: • river flooding. • Flooding will usually occur days or even weeks after heavy or • coastal flooding. prolonged rainfall. • surface water flooding. • Flooding may occur for a long time, • reservoir flooding. often lasting several weeks. • flooding from groundwater. • The water doesn’t always appear where you would expect it to (i.e. This leaflet is about flooding from valley bottoms). It may also groundwater. For more information emerge on hillsides. about other forms of flooding, please visit our website (www.environment- • Water may rise up through agency.gov.uk). floors rather than coming in through doors. Flooding from groundwater can happen when the level of water Flooding from groundwater is most within the rock or soil that makes up common in areas where the the land surface (known as the water underlying bed rock is chalk, but it table) rises. The level of the water can also happen in locations with table changes with the seasons due sand and gravel in the river valleys. to variations in long term rainfall and If you live in an area that could be water abstraction. affected by flooding from groundwater When the water table rises and then this guide is for you. It contains reaches ground level, water starts to useful information to help you reduce emerge on the surface and flooding the impact of groundwater flooding to can happen. your property. Environment Agency Flooding from Groundwater 3 Are you at risk? Mapping the risk of flooding from groundwater is complex and is currently not possible. Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) If you are still unsure whether your have powers to carry out risk home is at risk you may wish to carry management activities associated out a flood risk assessment. To do with flooding from groundwater. Your this, you will need to contact a LLFA is either the unitary authority or professional such as a consulting the county council for your area. LLFAs engineer or chartered surveyor. work with other organisations, Your flood warning service including the Environment Agency, to manage this risk. If you would like The Environment Agency is further information about flooding responsible for providing warnings from groundwater you should contact for flooding from rivers and the sea. In your Lead Local Flood Authority. some areas we also provide messages about flooding from groundwater. There are no flood risk maps for groundwater. If you want to find out Our free service can send you if your property could be at risk of messages by phone, email, text flooding from groundwater or may message or fax when a flood is have flooded in the past you should expected in your area. contact your Lead Local Flood Floodline can also give you practical Authority. It they do not have any flooding advice and a Quickdial information on flooding from number to help you easily access groundwater in your area you may find information on flooding in your area. it helpful to contact one of the following: To find out if the service is • your local Environment Agency available in your area, call office. • your parish or town council. Floodline on 0845 988 1188 • the Highways Authority. or visit our website • any flood wardens or Flood Action (www.environment- Groups in your area. agency.gov.uk). 4 Environment Agency Flooding from Groundwater Know your flood codes What it means What it means Flooding is possible. Flooding is expected. Be prepared. Immediate action required What to do: What to do: • Be prepared to act on your • Protect yourself, your family flood plan. and help others. • Prepare a flood kit of essential • Move family, pets and valuables items. to a safe place. • Check pumps and any other • Keep a flood kit ready. flood protection equipment • If you have a pump, make sure you may have. it is working. • Keep an eye on local water levels • Keep an eye on local water levels and weather conditions. Visit the and weather conditions. Visit the Environment Agency website Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk) (www.environment-agency.gov.uk) for flooding information. for flooding information. You need to be aware of flooding and keep an eye on the water levels and weather in your area. You can find information on our website or by listening to local news and weather forecasts. Environment Agency Flooding from Groundwater 5 Preparing for flooding Start preparing today before a flood happens. Use this checklist as your flood plan. 1. Know who to contact and how. 3. Think about what you would want • Agree where you will go and how to move to safety during a flood. to contact each other • pets • Check with your council if pets • cars are allowed at evacuation • furniture centres • electrical equipment • Keep a list of all your important contacts to hand. • garden pot plants and furniture 2. Think about what you can move • what else? now. • Don’t wait for a flood. Move items of personal value such as Think about who you could ask for photo albums, family films and help and who you could offer to treasured mementos to a safe help – particularly vulnerable place. neighbours or relatives – in the event of a flood. 6 Environment Agency Flooding from Groundwater 4. Check your insurance cover. 6. Prepare a flood kit of essential • Check your buildings and items and keep it handy. contents insurance policy. • Copies of your home insurance documents. • Confirm you are covered for flooding. • A torch with spare batteries. • Find out if the policy replaces • A wind-up or battery radio. new for old, and if it has a limit • Warm, waterproof clothing on repairs. and blankets. • Don’t underestimate the value • A first aid kit and prescription of your contents. medication. 5. Know how to turn off your gas, • Bottled water and non- electricity and water mains perishable foods. supplies. • Ask your supplier how to do this. • Baby food and baby care items. • Mark taps or switches with stickers to help you remember. You can get more information about preparing for flooding in our ‘What to do before, during and after a flood’ leaflet on our website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk). You can also find more information and a template for creating your own flood plan on our website. Environment Agency Flooding from Groundwater 7 Protecting your property Flooding from groundwater can affect ground floors, cellars, basements and garages. Preventing water from flood. You may need to consider a entering your property back up generator. Care must be taken if a mains powered electric pump is Many traditional methods of flood used during a flood. You should protection, such as sandbags, may contact a qualified electrician for not be effective against flooding from further advice. groundwater. This is because water can come up through the floor and Petrol or diesel pumps are possible remain high for a long time. Instead, alternatives but can be noisier and you may need to consider pumping will require refuelling. This can be a water to protect your property. problem as flooding from groundwater can often last for many weeks or even The most effective way to keep months. Position the generator groundwater out of your property is to outside in the open air as generators use a drainage or pump system to produce carbon monoxide fumes divert the water away from your home which can kill. or business. However, in some cases there may be too much water and You will also need to consider where even pumping may not be effective. you will pump water to. Pumping from one place to another may cause Pumps work best when the inlet is flooding elsewhere. You must not installed in a sump (a low point into pump water into the public foul sewer. which water can drain). Pumping is Only pump out water when flood likely to be required over many days, levels outside your property start to weeks or months. be lower than inside. This reduces the Pumps can be electric or petrol/diesel risk of structural damage. It may also driven. Electric pumps may be the be worth you contacting a structural most convenient but remember there engineer before pumping very deep is a chance of power cuts during a water from basements.
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