Groundwater Investigation

Groundwater levels and testing the permeability the ground.

As shown in the listing above this always has to be considered in a flood risk assessment. A lot of information on this is contained within what’s called a strategic flood risk assessment. This is compiled by consultants on behalf of local authorities and this document is considered very important in the NPPF .

SFRA now play a large part in the consideration of flood risk assessment
SFRA now play a large part in the consideration of flood risk assessment because they contain flood mapping showing the threat from all sources of flooding – not just water-course and seaborne threat as in the EA mapping.

Mapping is for guidance only
An important consideration is that the EA now accept that its mapping is for guidance only, not to be relied upon and inappropriate for site specific investigation.

This does of course add to the works of the assessor which is why the EA demand that only those professionals with sufficient qualifications should carry out flood risk assessments.

Tests have to be carried out to check for permeability
In certain cases this means that ground tests have to be carried out to check for permeability of the soil and also to assess at what depth any groundwater may lie.

Planning application
Once again one would look for this to be a condition within the planning permission but the local authority or the EA can dictate that these tests be made as part of the planning application.