KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE WITH THE GROUNDWATER FLOOD WARNING PLATFORM

THE CHALLENGE?

Groundwater flooding poses a substantial threat to various communities across the UK. Unlike surface water flooding, which is often visible and immediate, groundwater flooding results from prolonged rainfall causing the water table to rise, leading to flooding from below ground. This type of flooding can be especially tricky because it can occur days or even weeks after heavy rainfall, making it difficult to predict and manage.

Project Groundwater is on a mission to tackle these challenges head-on. They collaborate with local authorities, environmental agencies, and community groups to develop solutions that enhance preparedness and resilience against groundwater flooding events.

Some challenges they faced: 

• Lack of Timely Alerts: Existing flood warning systems were failing to provide adequate or timely alerts for groundwater flooding, leaving communities unprepared and vulnerable.

• Data Integration: The client needed to consolidate various data sources, such as climate data, flood maps, and GIS layers, into a single, actionable platform.

• Community Engagement: There was a significant communication gap between authorities and the affected communities, leading to confusion and insufficient response measures.

• Educational Gaps: Communities lacked accessible information and educational resources to understand groundwater flooding and take necessary precautions.

Recognising these challenges, Project Groundwater reached out to 3 Sided Cube to build a technical solution that would address these issues and keep users reliably informed about local groundwater flooding. We set to work, aiming to deliver a solution that would empower communities with timely information and proactive response measures.

THE SOLUTION

At 3 Sided Cube, we dove into developing a comprehensive Groundwater Flooding Portal. Our goal was to create a solution that would provide timely information, enhance community preparedness, and support proactive response measures.

We started with extensive research and data collection to fully understand the complexities of groundwater flooding. Collaborating closely with the British Geological Survey (BGS) and other data providers, we gathered relevant climate data, flood maps, and GIS layers. Integrating these diverse data sets into a unified platform required significant technical expertise to ensure the data was displayed in a meaningful and accessible way.

Next, our team focused on designing an intuitive user interface, prioritising ease of navigation for community members. This included creating interactive maps and visualisations to help users understand the risk levels in their specific areas. One of the critical components of our solution was the development of an automated alert system. This system was programmed to trigger notifications based on forecasted groundwater levels, providing communities with timely and accurate alerts to enable preemptive actions.

The platform notifies the affected communities of flood risk through email and text messaging to ensure critical information reaches them efficiently. To bridge the knowledge gap, Groundwater South is developing action plans for at-risk communities. The aim is to inform users about groundwater flooding, how to prepare for it, and what actions to take during and after an event.

The Groundwater Flooding Portal was built with the community at its heart, ensuring that every feature was designed to empower users with the information and tools they needed to mitigate the risks associated with groundwater flooding. Focus groups with affected communities have been held to ensure the service meets their needs, align the platform with real-world challenges and make it as practical and user-friendly as possible.

THE RESULTS

The entire team at 3 Sided Cube is incredibly proud of the Groundwater Flooding Portal. It’s been crafted (and coded) to make a real difference in how communities prepare for and respond to groundwater flooding. While the platform is still in its early stages, the foundation is set to deliver meaningful results.

The portal isn’t just another piece of tech—it’s a bespoke digital solution that offers timely alerts, and integrates diverse data sets for accurate forecasting. We’ve designed the platform to empower users with the knowledge they need to take proactive steps in safeguarding against groundwater flooding.

While it’s early to gauge the full impact, we’re excited about what’s to come. Watch this space for updates as the flood season approaches, with communities now armed with the Groundwater Flooding Portal.