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.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want 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.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Groundwater flooding is the lowest profile type of flooding, but it can be the hardest to predict, cope with and recover from. It tends to come on unexpectedly and then take a long time to recede. This makes it especially hard to  deal with in terms of PFR - Property Flood Resilience.

In this episode, Rob Pike from RAB Consultants shares his expertise. Why does groundwater flooding present different challenges to defending buildings and keeping them dry? What is the latest thinking in terms of best practice before, during and after a groundwater flooding event? Rob gives great insights into the types of equipment that can be useful and talks about how different combinations of equipment and protection can work effectively.

As usual, there is real lived experience to shape the discussion. Susan Young lives close to the Thames and her flat was flooded by groundwater only a day or two after she had brought the property. She talks about what it was like to be groundwater flooded and how she took a positive and proactive approach to making her flat as resilient as possible in the future. By harnessing expert advice, accessing funding and researching insurance and equipment, she has managed to build back stronger as minimal cost to herself.

Susan talks in the episode about the help she got from 'Flood Mary' - you can find out more information here: floodmary.com

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Why is groundwater flooding often referred to as "invisible flooding" or "forgotten flooding"?

There's plenty about groundwater flooding that makes it different from other forms of flooding. It's less predictable, less mapped, less measured and less headline-grabbing. But for the people and businesses affected by it, it can often be more trouble.  How can you prepare for something you don't know is coming? How do you recover from a flood that takes way longer to recede than other types? And what about the mental health impacts of seeing the water level millimetres below your floorboards, or slowly rising from the sewers (bringing the contents with it)?

Groundwater flooding is tricky. Hard to grasp. And that's exactly why Project Groundwater was started - to begin to understand this type of flooding more so that it can be handled better. In this episode, Jed Ramsay - leader of Project Groundwater, and one of the UK's most knowledgeable groundwater flooding experts - joins host Katie Hargrave-Smith to reveal what we know... and what we don't know.

Plus, as always on Groundwater Rising, there is firsthand experience shared by a community member affected by groundwater flooding. Andy from Kimpton in Hertfordshire shares his story - how long-dry hillside springs suddenly  started seeping water and how a "dead" river came back to life to threaten houses built on top of it, with even the council telling him the river he was was now bailing out of his neighbour's garden... simply "didn't exist".

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

What does resilience even mean?

 It's a term that gets bandied around a lot - in press releases, government briefings and every new bit of environmental policy... but are there social, political and economic contexts and caveats that mean that in reality, the aim to make communities more "resilient" isn't being achieved? Or are we all more prepared for challenges that things like flooding - especially groundwater flooding - bring... because we are familiar with the concept of resilience and are supported to make it happen?

Host Katie Hargrave-Smith is joined by two experts in the field - Dr Karen Potter and Dr Sarah Fitton - who have undertaken considerable research into the term "resilience" - it's history, political DNA and relevance to communities dealing with the challenges of all types of flooding, including groundwater.

Plus, to get the real-life lived experience of a community member affected by groundwater flooding, Simon Collings from Oxford Flood Alliance talks about what resilience really looks like at ground level.

You can access Dr Karen Potter and Dr Sarah Fitton's report on Resilience, here: 1713945164.pdf (projectgroundwater.co.uk)

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Katie Hargrave-Smith from Project Groundwater explains what's in store from new monthly podcast 'Groundwater Rising'. Why is this often referred to as "forgotten flooding"? How does it differ from other types of flooding... and why is so little known about it?

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want 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.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

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

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Flooding is in the news again as Storm Bert has wreaked havoc in various parts of the UK. We know that climate change makes storm events - and in turn, flooding - more likely. But, as ever... what about groundwater? Will climate change affect the occurrence and magnitude of groundwater flooding in the future?

Rachel May is a graduate water resources engineer at Jacobs and recently received a First Class Masters degree in Environmental Consultancy. Her Masters dissertation was all about how climate change will affect groundwater flooding. Since there is so little existing research in this area, her studies and methods were groundbreaking, and her work moves our collective understanding significantly forward. In this episode, Rachel shares her knowledge - the background, context and methods of her research, and, crucially... her conclusions.

We always like to receive and share flood stories from members of the community. This episode is the perfect timing to share Stephen Hodgson's story. His property was affected by flash flooding due to the type of storm event that will happen more frequently as a result of climate change.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Hilary Martin and Trevor Kippax from Marlow share their expertise in the positive difference that Flood Groups and Flood Wardens can make to local flood plans, community resilience and emergency response.

Whatever type of flooding happens in your area - groundwater or otherwise - local knowledge and support is vital. Local people know who lives where and what their needs are, plus they can spot the signs of a coming flood and will have an idea of how events could unfold. In an ideal world this local knowledge would be harnessed by the national agencies, water companies and emergency services... but it isn't always the case.

That's where flood groups and flood wardens can help. Hilary Martin and Trevor Kippax have real lived experiences of setting up and running flood groups and being flood wardens. In this episode they share their expertise. What works. What doesn't. Where the opportunities for improvement are and where they feel more thought and action is needed at a higher level.

This episode is an essential listen for anyone living in an area of flood risk (climate change is likely to make more of our areas vulnerable) to either start a flood group or improve the provision they already have.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Due to a calendar quirk (we release an episode on the last Thursday of each month), this episode publishes on Boxing Day... so we decided to make a bit of a different episode to get into the holiday spirit. Katie Hargrave-Smith is usually the host of 'Groundwater Rising' but for this episode the tables have turned and she's the guest.

It's a great chance to look back on a successful first 8 months for this podcast, which we're very happy to say is getting great feedback and growing steadily.

But what has Katie's experience been like? What made her want to start this podcast? What has been the reaction? How has it moved the conversation around groundwater - and groundwater flooding - forward? What has Katie learnt about podcasting, herself and groundwater flooding itself, along the way. And now the podcast is established and serving a real purpose, what does the future hold?

Thanks to Alex Beckett (Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager at Buckinghamshire Council) for stepping in to presenter's role for this episode.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Greg Gomez (Software Developer, 3 Sided Cube) and Dr Jonathan Mackay (Hydrogeologist, British Geological Survey) talk to host Katie about the new Project Groundwater Flood Warning system they have built.

This new app shows exciting potential for what could be achieved nationally. Community hubs, action plans, alert states, detailed maps and forecasting all feature. Katie gets Greg and Jon to explain how the system works, what they did to develop and improve it and how systems like these could be a massive source of help and reassurance to individuals and communities in the future.

Basing this new system around groundwater flooding has provided plenty of challenges and opportunities that Greg and Jon explore over the course of this episode

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Vivian Quynh Pham is Knowledge and Benefits Lead at the Environment Agency for the 6-year £200 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovations Programme. Vivian supports 31 Risk Management Authority led projects across England to demonstrate how practical innovative actions can work to improve resilience to flooding and coastal erosion. This role involves harnessing huge amounts of data.

Vivian's varied background across arts, sciences, geography and engineering helps shape their approach that recognises the dual importance of quantitative and qualitative data. In this fascinating episode, host Katie and Vivian cover many areas of discussion including:

• Why data telling you the opposite from what you expect can be a good thing
• How to make the case for innovation before you have the data to support it
• How the processes and people behind data collection and analysis make a difference to its effectiveness
• The importance of scale when analysing patterns and making policy off the back of "what the data says"
• How Aboriginal Australians are a brilliant example of scientific observation, storytelling and wisdom working together

With data becoming more important in all sectors of work and society, this episode is not just an essential listen for those within the water, flooding and engineering worlds... its lessons, approaches and insights can be valuable for anyone in any sector.

Read the mid-programme report from the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovations Programme here.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

For groundwater flooding to progress from being under-researched and under-prioritised it will need to move the needle on policy, because policy - in a complex relationship with legislation and funding - is what actually gets stuff to happen. But how is policy instigated and how can it be harnessed? This episode aims to find out by talking to two experts with slightly different angles on policy and also featuring the case study of using beavers as a nature-based solution to flooding (and the current policy situation this approach finds itself in).

The two experts joining host Katie for this discussion are:

Hannah Coogan - the current CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) President and Binnies Regional Delivery Director (Flood, Coast and Maritime). She has a wealth of experience in working within the policy-laden context of the water sector, plus has a very detailed knowledge of all the ways in which a professional membership body like CIWEM can influence policy.

Estelle Bailey - Chief Executive at Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and a Trustee at UK Green Buildings Council. She has a deep understanding of the patience (and sometimes frustration) involved in trying to address gaps in policy. She also has experience of how to use the public opinion levers of NGO's (Non Governmental Organisations) to affect policy decisions that make a real positive difference on the issues that count with the general public.

Adding his experiences of a specific issue where policy has been on a long and winding road to implementation (the use of beavers as a natural flood control measure) is Mike Potter from Slow The Flow Pickering, a pilot project that has become a beacon of hope for supporters of nature-based solutions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in finding out what is involved in truly moving the needle on policy.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Mike Cowdy and Nora Balboni from McGregor Coxall are working with Project Groundwater to create a framework for resilience in order to achieve the goal of making communities more resilient to groundwater flooding. In this episode they join host Katie to discuss how their work is progressing.

Among the many fascinating talking points are the philosophy of "bio-urbanism" and how a holistic non-silo approach to resilience is more likely to move us toward a reliable and useful framework.

Discover what the pillars (or "capitals") of resilience are, as proposed by Mike and Nora, from their research.

What potential do frameworks have to be transposed across communities and contexts? What about more practical challenges like who owns and maintains a framework? How does it fit into funding applications and current infrastructure, processes and community groups?

This episode grapples with some big issues but makes real progress toward defined  and useful insights into resilience that go beyond throwaway uses of the word or vague statements that we simply need to be "more resilient".

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Sea level rise will be one of the consequences of climate change. It will change the delicate balance between fresh groundwater on the land side and salty sea water in the sea. 

What will be the implications for groundwater flooding, coastal communities and coastal ecosystems? How will existing and potential future built infrastructure flood defences react to and affect the changes that sea level rise will bring? Where are the gaps in knowledge and what are the challenges and opportunities in this area of research?

In this episode we bring together two great minds on either side of the Atlantic - both Xin Su and Daniel Magnone are involved in current cutting-edge research in this exact field - to share their insights and expertise. What results is a fascinating and informative discussion that moves this area of enquiry forward.

You can find out more about Xin Su and her research here.

Daniel Magnone contributed to this article in Hydrogeology Journal about the freshwater–saline interface in The Fens.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Every major project wants to create a legacy, but how is it done? Does it come about organically or should it be planned for and worked towards? If so, when is the right time to talk about it and what are the steps to deliver it?

Since - once a project ends - legacy will be what's left behind... shouldn't it be a vital part of any project's design?

What are some examples of legacy planning done well, and where has legacy not worked out as hoped for?

Flood risk planning has a particular emphasis on legacy, which is why it is something that Project Groundwater itself has valued and considered. Two of the architects of Project Groundwater's own legacy planning - Karen Fisher (Senior Associate Director, Jacobs) and Kat Edwards (Co-Founder, AxiaOrigin) join host Katie to discuss this often-overlooked subject.

If you'd like to find more about Project Groundwater's "Let's Talk" channels (as mentioned during this episode), go to letstalkgroundwaterflooding.org

Also talked about in the episode is the 'Slow The Flow: Pickering' project, which you can discover here. 

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Mary Long-Dhonau OBE (aka 'Flood Mary') is an expert on property flood resilience, having been flooded herself and made it her mission to raise awareness of flood risk and property flood resilience. 

Craig Glynn is CEO of Citizens Advice, Bucks and has spent years helping members of the public deal with challenges and issues - working with landlords and renter's rights are areas of expertise for him.

Mary and Craig join host Katie to address what could be seen as a knowledge gap. There is plenty of information and advice for homeowners and businesses wanting to make their properties more flood resilient... but a large proportion of the population are renters and there is little flood advice out there aimed specifically at them.

Topics of discussion include:

• How you can work with your landlord to make your property more flood resilient
• Your rights and obligations if your property gets flooded
• If you need to relocate temporarily, how to proceed in a way that will save you money and prevent contractual disputes
• Preparations you can make as an individual, regardless of what actions your landlord does or doesn't take

To see all the advice on Flood Mary's website, including to-do list templates and ideas for flood resilience products and best practice, go to floodmary.com

To find out more about how Citizens Advice can help you, go to citizensadvice.org.uk

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Guy Parker is a technical specialist in groundwater flooding from chalk aquifers with over 20 years experience in flood incident management. In this episode he shares his knowledge and provides a brilliant guide to how chalk works and the unique way it affects groundwater flooding.

A huge swathe of the UK sits on top of chalk aquifers and this is a key part of how the nation stays supplied with water. But, chalk reacts in very specific ways to water, and, with climate change affecting weather patterns, there are knock-on effects to the interaction between chalk, groundwater levels and flooding.

This episode is as knowledge-filled as it is fascinating. An essential listen for anyone involved with groundwater, flooding or water (and a genuinely revealing and thoroughly interesting listen for anyone who likes to understand "how things work"), Guy has a great way of making detailed scientific information very accessible.

From the chemical composition of chalk, to how it was formed, why pores and fractures matter... to stories of Guy on horseback earlier in his career following streams uphill to map the water table, this episode is engaging and insightful.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Dr Paul Ellis (Hydrolex) joins host Katie to share his expertise on how groundwater interacts with other water sources. Often, in flooding situations, there is a mistaken assumption that just one source of water is involved. But, understanding how all sources of water - including groundwater (which the least is known about) is vital to understand, plan for and mitigate flooding properly.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Dr Sarah Fitton and Simon Wilson (co-authors of upcoming book 'Socially Successful Projects in the Built Environment') join host Katie to properly unpack the term "social value". It's a term that gets used heavily in project applications, reports and mission statements for many flood management projects (including groundwater flooding schemes)... but what does it actually mean and how can it be done well?

In this useful and pragmatic discussion, Sarah and Simon discuss:

• A simple and clear definition of social value
• How putting social value at the core (and start) of a project can prevent many issues down-the-line
• Why sometimes there is a mismatch between brilliantly innovative tech and communities whose real priorities have not truly been asked-for or considered
• How to communicate with and involve communities properly
• Best-practice lessons learnt from projects which have been able to deliver much-loved community assets delivering across-the-board wins for all stakeholders

If you would like to find out more about Dr Sarah Fitton and Simon Wilson's work, and be able to buy the book when it is released, please go to:

www.sociallysuccessfulprojects.co.uk

Dr Sarah Fitton is Founder and Director of Aurora Engagements Ltd.

Simon Wilson is Co-founder and Director of Wilson Sherriff.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Host Katie speaks to Ted McCormack, a senior geologist and hydrogeologist at the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), whose specialism is groundwater, particularly regarding groundwater flooding and turloughs in Ireland. 

Ted explains what turloughs are, what karst is and explains how Ireland maps groundwater flood extents, assesses risks, and develops models for flood management. Plus Ted discusses how Ireland is leading the way in using remote sensing and satellite imagery to model and predict groundwater flooding... and the potential these methods have to be used elsewhere.

What insights can we gain from Ireland's progress that could help with groundwater flooding in the UK and beyond?

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Winterbournes are a type of temporary river that only flow above ground at certain times of year. They are very important in understanding how groundwater works, as well as chalk aquifers. Observing the flora and fauna they support is vital, because it gives clues to a whole variety of environmental patterns, including the effects of pollution, urbanisation and what may happen with climate change.

In this episode, host Helen interviews Patrycja Meadows (Pan Area Senior Ecologist at Environment Agency) to get the theory on winterbournes... and then visits one with Patrycja and her team as they undertake sampling. On a lovely spring day with the river flowing fast and the lambs bleating in the background, this is an evocative and insightful episode captured at the perfect time of year to explore winterbournes.

Patrycja talks passionately about the role of citizen science, and you can find out more about how to get involved via these pages of the Enivronment Agency website.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Rhiannon Marchi-Smith is an independent hydrogeologist specialising in groundwater, mine water, and subsurface risk management. Her work focuses on connecting science, policy, and decision-making regarding underground water resources.

Rhiannon has learnt through experience what works when trying to communicate complex science to communities affected by groundwater flooding. She has hard-earned lessons to share in terms of turning evidence into action that makes a difference.

In this episode, Rhiannon and host Helen discuss topics including:

• The lessons that working with mining communities taught Rhiannon about communication between organisations and local people
• Why significant budget and time should be allocated to engaging with the community, particularly before a project starts
• How mining has left some parts of the country with a permanently changed groundwater context
• Why Rhiannon thinks narrative story-telling concepts can massively improve the impact of technical reports

This is an essential listen to anyone currently involved in a community-based project. The insights and advice in this episode could help you out a lot.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Hazel Cottle is an occupational therapist and mother whose innovative idea, Puddle Parks, reimagines how families engage with the outdoors—especially on rainy days. Her work centres on harnessing the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outside, even in wet weather, inspired by both her clinical experience and her belief in the power of nature to spark joy and connection.

In this episode (new host Helen's first) Hazel joins Helen to introduce the concept of Puddle Parks and to talk about the wider issues of understanding how rain, water, environment, community and climate are linked. Could innovative ideas like Puddle Parks help people understand - from an early age - rainfall patterns, how water and ground interact, as well as help communities adapt to changing weather linked to climate change

Hazel introduced PuddleParks through her TED and TEDxBrighton talk (which you can watch here), highlighting how purpose‑designed outdoor spaces can turn rain into an invitation rather than a barrier. These playful environments use rain‑activated features such as light, sound and water‑driven movement to encourage accessible and inclusive community, curiosity, and adventure for children and adults alike.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

In her final episode hosting Groundwater Rising (before handing over to new host Helen Banyard), host Katie interviews Matt Georges, founder of Orbital Applied Economics about mental health and flooding.

Historically, investment in flood prevention and flood defences has mainly been in physical structures. But more and more is being understood about the importance of community flood resilience, and behind this lies the issue of mental health. Being flooded affects mental health greatly, but it's hard to put an economic value on mental health impacts... which means its importance may be being under considered in decisions about which interventions to fund.

Matt is leading the ground-breaking FloodMind research project that aims to fill a research gap (very little has been done about mental health and flooding) and then work towards a mathematical model that can better understand the mental health impacts and their economic value - specifically in terms of groundwater flooding.

In a funding decision-making context that often boils down to cost, the aim of Flood Mind is to provide more of an evidence-based platform for mental health to be given more importance in future flood scheme funding.

To find out more about FloodMind, visit floodmind.co.uk

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

After nearly two years of presenting Groundwater Rising, Katie Hargrave-Smith is leaving to pursue a new role (full details in the episode) and hands over the microphone to Helen Banyard. Helen shares her background, including her journey to working within Flooding and Innovation.

Katie and Helen discuss everything from the emotional impact of flooding, to areas they want to explore with the podcast, as well as talking about Katie's insights and highlights from her time on the podcast. A lovely listen at the beginning of a new year and a new chapter for Groundwater Rising.

Thanks to Katie for building a superb foundation. Welcome Helen and here's to a fantastic future ahead.

Katie recorded an episode - which will be her last - on Mental Health that will publish at the end of January 2026, and then Helen's first episode will be at the end of February.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising

Adrian Porter joins host Helen to tell the story of hie remarkable journey from being groundwater flooded with devastating effects... to becoming a local flood warden... and eventually re-training to become a water and environment expert... and then getting a role researching and preserving chalk streams.

In the first part of this episode we get to hear the dramatic story of how Adrian's own house succumbed to groundwater flooding - he tells the story extremely effectively... this is a very valuable and insightful description of what it is actually like to be groundwater flooded. 

In the second half of the episode we hear about how Adrian has harnessed this negative experience in a positive way. He shares vital tips and advice for anyone else affected by groundwater flooding on options to protect their home... and then goes on to explain how communities can become more resilient and help each other. 

Finally, we hear more about how Adrian now works with chalk streams and his thoughts on how we can make progress on better understanding groundwater and why he believes we need to take the approach of working with nature... not trying to control it.

Have a story you’d like to share on Groundwater Rising? 

Email groundwaterrising@projectgroundwater.co.uk

To find out more about Project Groundwater, visit projectgroundwater.co.uk

Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Go to www.youtube.com/@GroundwaterRising