Research and analysis

Kimpton and Lilley Bottom, Hertfordshire groundwater situation: May 2021

The latest update on monitored groundwater levels and whether there are any groundwater alerts or warnings in force.

Applies to England

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This document provides information on the groundwater situation for Kimpton, north Hertfordshire.

Flooding from groundwater can happen when the level of water within the rock or soil that makes up the land surface (known as the water table) rises. The level of the water table changes with the seasons due to variations in long term rainfall and water abstraction. When the water table rises and reaches ground level, water starts to emerge on the surface and flooding can happen.

Lead local flood authorities (the unitary or County Council) are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from groundwater. They set out how they plan to do this in their local flood risk management strategies.

The Environment Agency has a strategic overview for all sources of flooding including groundwater. This means they will provide support to other risk management authorities. They supply information in the form of monitored groundwater levels. In some areas that have historically experienced groundwater flooding, the Environment Agency provide a groundwater alert or warning service.

Published 6 March 2014
Last updated 10 May 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added an update for May 2021. New information about the current situation, forecast risk of flooding and what we’re doing.

  2. April 2021 update added.Current situation, Forecast risk of flooding and What we’re doing updated.

  3. Updates to Current situation, and Forecast risk of flooding

  4. Complete update to page.

  5. New briefing added on 15 May 2014.

  6. New document for 2 April 2014 attached.

  7. First published.