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Current situation

Groundwater levels started to increase more sharply for a brief amount of time after the rainfall received in South London at the end of February. However, due to the lack of significant rainfall so far during this monthsince the end of February, groundwater levels are now falling.

Groundwater levels are now normal for this time of the year in South London.

Short term forecast聽

Predominantly dry weather conditions are likely to continue in the next couple of weeks with a chance of some spells of rain or showers predicted for the latter half of the next 2 weeks. No heavy rainfall is currently expected in the south east.

Longer term forecast聽

Predominantly drier and brighter periods are expected in the next three to four weeks. However, some unsettled weather may develop in the south of the UK. The levels rainfall that could be associated is are not currently predicted to get be intensive high enough to cause any flooding reverse the current trend of falling groundwater levels.

Typically, in the South London area, groundwater levels peak during March. Therefore, we would expect groundwater levels to keep falling until the onset of the next recharge season. 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.

If contrary to the current weather forecast, there is extremely heavy rainfall over the next few weeks, groundwater could start to rise again. In turn, this could still cause groundwater flooding of basements and low-lying land and basementscould still be possible. This could also result in winter bournes such as the Caterham Bourne, beginning to flow. Bournes are rivers that flow in winter because of high groundwater levels.

However, at this time of the year, rather than starting rise again, we would expect groundwater levels to continue falling until the onset of the next recharge season. This also considers the weather forecast that does not predict rainfall to be intensive over the next 4 weeks.

Graph showing the trend of groundwater levels since June 2023 at Woldingham Observation Borehole in South London overlying a background of colour banding indicating relatively high and low conditions. Levels are normal for this time of the year on 31 March 2025.

What the Environment Agency is doing聽

We will continue to monitor groundwater levels across South London 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 post the onset of the next recharge season. 聽

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 further updates at the beginning of the next recharge season later in the year, unless there are any significant changes.

Further information

You can view:

• groundwater situation reports by area

• water situation: area monthly reports for England 2024

Contacts

If you have any questions, please email聽[email protected].

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

• call Floodline on 0345 988 1188
• visit
• follow and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood outlook