Groundwater Rising

Nature-based Solutions feel like a new thing, but they have actually been around for about 20 years now. In that time they have become a much-talked about source of hope for a new and sustainable way of dealing with flooding. To truly reach their potential, more research and data is need to truly quantify their impact. And, then, there's our favourite question to consider... What about Groundwater? Could nature-based solutions be used in areas prone to groundwater flooding to improve outcomes for residents, businesses, communities and the environment?Dr Imogen Barnsley is perfectly placed to talk nature-based solutions and groundwater, having made this exact subject the main focus of her PhD studies. She researched and modelled chalk stream catchments in the south of England  where groundwater flooding has occurred. Her conclusions are fascinating and lead to a new experimental approach - specific to groundwater flooding-prone areas - that you can hear all about in the episode.If you want to read Dr Barnsley's doctoral thesis, you can find it here:eprints.soton.ac.uk/468626 To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.ukWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

If you are flooded by Groundwater Flooding - or any other type of flooding - insurance is something you spend a lot of time worrying about. Am I covered? Could the wording of my policy or its level of cover mean I am not covered? Will I get a payout and will it be enough?In this episode we try to cover all the angles of flooding and insurance. Dermot Kehoe explains how re-insurance 'Flood Re' (a collaboration between the insurance industry and the government) can be a lifeline for people whose properties are at risk of flooding or have flooded before. Insurance industry expert Bernie Coughlin skilfully balances the line between being on the side of customers... but also explaining why the insurance companies need to have the processes, policies and exclusions that they do.Plus, of course, we consider the unique case that Groundwater Flooding is and how both Flood Re and the insurance industry are adapting to better serve those affected now... or who could be in the future.This is a detailed and fascinating discussion that will be enlightening to anyone with a personal or professional interest in getting flood insurance right. To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.ukWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Groundwater flooding can be infrequent, unpredictable and arrive in combination with other types of flooding - all of this makes it hard to model and predict. But modelling is a key tool in managing other types of flooding such as coastal and fluvial. So, what's being done to improve modelling of groundwater flooding?Dr David Cobby is Senior Associate Director, Water & Environment for Jacobs and is working on Project Groundwater. In this episode he joins host Katie to explain the core principles behind modelling, explore the challenges groundwater presents... and shares the latest progress on improving the situation.Katie is also joined by Andy Mills, owner of a 1750's cottage in a village near Stokenchurch. The cottage has a fascinating history linked to flooding, and yet Andy was unable to find this information before buying the house, and has now been flooded 4 times. His story is a great example of a situation where improved modelling of groundwater flooding could make a real positive difference. To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.ukWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Chartered Engineer Fola Ogunyoye from TJAY Counsulting Ltd talks to host Katie Hargrave-Smith about how planning and legislation has changed over the years in terms of how it considers all forms of flooding.  He highlights a familiar tale of a distinct lack of information when it comes to groundwater flooding.But, there is hope. Fola is working with Project Groundwater and sees a path to progress by bringing multiple sources of information together in a new way that will enable not just the above-ground outputs of groundwater flooding to be understood better... but actually enable mapping of the situation below ground. If progress can be made in specific Project Groundwater focus areas, then there is the potential for the models and ways of working to be adopted at a national scale... and truly improve how Planning handles groundwater. To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.ukWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising