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Research and analysis

Kent groundwater situation

Updated 20 April 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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

1. Current situation

Following heavy rainfall received until the mid-February, groundwater levels in Kent continued to increase until mid-March. However, due to more spring like conditions and reduced rainfall during March and early April, groundwater levels have been declining since the send half of March. The county received only around half the long-term average rainfall for March and significantly less than half during early April. Groundwater levels are now normal for this time of year in most of Kent, though still above normal in east Kent (see below).

2. Short term forecast

Weather forecasts for the next 2 weeks indicate that there will be periods of fine weather with light intermittent rainfall and scattered showers at times, however daily rainfall totals are not expected to exceed a few millimetres. As a result, groundwater levels are expected to continue to fall.

3. Longer term forecast

Weather conditions 2 to 4 weeks from now are predicted to remain relatively dry, with only light and patchy rainfall currently forecast. If rainfall over the next few weeks remains as low as expected and as we are continuing to more towards summer, groundwater levels are expected to continue to fall.

Graph showing the trend of groundwater levels since January 2024 at the Little Bucket Farm Observation Borehole at Petham in the North Downs of east Kent overlying a background of colour banding indicating relatively high and low conditions. Levels are above normal for this time of year, as of 17 April 2026, but falling.

4. What the Environment Agency is doing

We will continue to monitor groundwater levels across Kent and provide situation report updates, if the outlook changes. If there is no significant change to the current outlook, the next report will be published during the next recharge season (October to March), when groundwater rises again.

We will take evidence-based decisions and 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Further information

You can view:

8. 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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