GeoSmart, a leading flood risk consultancy, has warned that the UK may be unprepared for the increasing threat of groundwater flooding, which is not currently listed on the National Risk Register. The consultancy has sent a letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, highlighting the urgent need for government action.
Groundwater flooding, caused by high water levels seeping into buildings and infrastructure, has been linked to severe flooding events. Despite its significant impact, it is not included in the UK’s National Risk Register. GeoSmart points out that this type of flooding affects approximately 770,000 homes and accounts for 13% of the UK’s annual financial losses from flooding. Additionally, groundwater flooding can exacerbate other forms of flooding, such as river and surface water floods, by prolonging their duration and increasing their severity.
Mark Fermor, director of GeoSmart, emphasises the severe consequences of groundwater flooding. “It often causes far more damage than other types of flooding and has devastating effects on affected communities,” he said. Fermor also highlights those recent developments, including the government’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes, exacerbate the risk.
“During the winter of 2019-2020, we narrowly avoided a major disaster due to groundwater flooding,” Fermor noted. “With climate change intensifying, and the recent relaxation of construction rules, the risk is even greater.” He warned that as the UK approaches autumn and winter, which typically see increased groundwater flooding, there is insufficient attention being paid to this issue.
The UK faces a growing flood risk, with 1.9 million people currently living in high-risk areas. This number is projected to double by the 2050s, with the Environment Agency predicting more frequent and severe floods, particularly in winter.
GeoSmart is calling for a comprehensive review of flood risk management, arguing that groundwater flooding should be recognised as a major natural hazard. “Our FloodSmart Analytics platform data shows that groundwater flooding causes more annual losses than coastal flooding and is a key factor in other flooding events,” Fermor said. “We are at risk of a disaster if we continue to ignore this issue, similar to the initial government response to the Covid outbreak.”
Fermor also criticises the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 for failing to adequately address groundwater flooding. He urges Reed to initiate an urgent review to develop a more effective flood risk management strategy that includes groundwater flooding on the National Risk Register.