South London groundwater situation: 16 December 2024
Updated 20 December 2024
Applies to England
Current situation
In October 2024, the Chalk aquifer in South London area started to see some early signs of recharge due to an exceptionally wet September. In November, however, levels started to fall once again as the rainfall received was closer to normal during most of October and November.
After a couple of weeks of intense rainfall received in the first 2 weeks of December, groundwater levels have now started to rise sharply. This demonstrates that the recharge season has now started in South London.
Groundwater levels are notably high for this time of the year in South London. This is due to a previous wet recharge season, the early recharge seen in October and the current sharp rise of groundwater levels.
Short term forecast
Although groundwater levels are notably high for this time of the year, they are likely to increase further. Weather forecasts for the next one or 2 weeks predict conditions that are likely to be settled with intermittent spells of rain.
Longer term forecast
Trends of groundwater levels are dependent on the amount and intensity of rainfall we receive in South London until the end of the groundwater recharge season. The recharge season typically comes to an end in the spring.
For the next 3 to 4 weeks, conditions are forecast to be changeable, with some unsettled, wet spells predicted to be possible. If we receive higher than average rainfall in the next month, groundwater flooding of basements and low-lying land could be possible in February and March. This would also result in winter bournes (rivers which flow in winter because of high groundwater levels) such as the Caterham Bourne beginning to flow.
What the Environment Agency is doing
We will continue to monitor groundwater levels across South London and provide situation report updates throughout the remainder of this winter. The next report will be published in January 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:
Contacts
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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