Future Climate Info (FCI), provider of residential and commercial Environmental and Flood Reports will be the first conveyancing search company to add JBA’s high-resolution 5 metre groundwater flood data to their reports in June 2016.
The new groundwater data, which indicates the risk of flooding in every 5 metre square across the country, gives a greater level of detail and allows more specific reporting using a simple ‘traffic light’ system. By incorporating this ground-breaking new data into FCI reports it will add further invaluable insight into the potential flood risks so FCI can continue to provide the most complete and accurate data in the market.
Groundwater flooding is affecting a growing number of UK properties and is predominantly caused by unusually high groundwater levels often following prolonged rain. It tends to be more persistent than surface water flooding and can last for weeks or months often resulting in significant damage to property. With this in mind the JBA team modelled how and where groundwater levels would rise following prolonged periods of rainfall, taking into account factors such as topography, groundwater recharge volumes and spatial variations in aquifer storage and transmission properties. The model outputs were validated against recorded groundwater levels for past flood events and checked against areas historically affected by groundwater flooding.
Geoff Offen, Managing Director of FCI, commented on the new dataset:
“We are delighted to include JBA’s 5 metre groundwater data within our range of residential and commercial reports as it completes our family of high resolution flood risk datasets. We aim to provide the most detailed desk-top flood risk assessment, including an insurability analysis within every FCI environmental report. This new dataset further strengthens our offering and reaffirms FCI as the first choice for environmental reports in terms of compliance, and not least peace of mind.”
The enhanced 5 metre resolution of the JBA data allows FCI to apply a much tighter buffer when the property boundary is used, allowing for property specific risk assessment for the homebuyer.
Developed by Dr Maxine Zaidman and the JBA team, the new 5 metre groundwater flood map delivers enhanced resolution which makes it easier to pinpoint and report risks on a much finer scale. Commenting on the 5 metre data, Dr Zaidman said:
“The detailed groundwater maps will help potential homebuyers identify if a property is at risk of groundwater flood in a 100-year return period and will also assist flood risk management authorities in meeting their responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act.”
This ground-breaking 5 metre data combined with the new Flood Re scheme is a great move towards helping to identify and protect homes from flooding.
(IMAGE – Figure 1: Example of traffic light system and 5 metre mapping on an individual property)
This article was submitted to be published by Future Climate Info as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
