Research and analysis

Kent groundwater situation: 20 March 2024

Updated 22 March 2024

Applies to England

Current situation

Since the end of October, the Kent area has been receiving notably high amounts of rain for this time of the year. This, combined with a slightly wet summer and widespread rain that continued to fall during the first half of November resulted in a steep rise in groundwater levels in November and December. After a drier period in January, levels rose again in response to the rainfall received between February and early March.

Groundwater levels began increasing suddenly in the early weeks of November across Kent. Levels typically begin to increase towards the end of November and early December. The sharp and early rise of groundwater levels was responsible for groundwater fluctuating between levels that are considered as exceptionally high, notably high or above normal since November.

Short term forecast  

After somewhat drier conditions that were prevailing during most of mid-March, for next week the forecasts predict weather systems with more unsettled conditions. This could result in less stable conditions with winter bournes such as the Nailbourne and Alkham Bourne flowing more intensively at times.

Groundwater levels will remain high and localised effects from groundwater flooding are likely to continue, even under a drier scenario when groundwater levels would remain stable.

Longer term forecast  

Trends of groundwater levels are dependent on the amount and intensity of rainfall until the end of the groundwater recharge season. The recharge season typically comes to an end in the spring.   

Some winter bournes in the Kent area, such as the Nailbourne and Alkham Bourne are flowing in their full extent and these conditions are likely to continue through to April and possibly May. Bournes are rivers that flow in winter because of high groundwater levels.  

For the next three to four weeks, across the south of the UK, conditions are forecast to remain unsettled. If these unsettled, wet spells result in heavy and frequent rainfall events, then it is probable for winter bournes to flow more intensively with more widespread effects of groundwater flooding occurring later in March or April.

Graph showing the trend of groundwater levels since June 2022 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.

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:

• groundwater situation reports by area

• flood alerts

• river and sea levels in England

• water situation: area monthly reports for England 2023

Contacts

If you have any questions, email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The Environment Agency offers free Groundwater Flood Alerts. You can:

• call Floodline on 0345 988 1188
• visit GOV.UK for current flood alerts and warnings
• follow @EnvAgencySE and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood outlook