Groundwater is believed to have played a part in the flooding of Heighington’s primary school after Storm Babet in October 2023.
Millfield Academy had to temporary close after Heighington Beck overtopped during the storm. But the flooding investigation into the event suggests that groundwater flooding was also a factor.
Heighington village also has significant issues with groundwater getting into the foul sewer network and when the beck overtopped again in January 2024, flooding was exacerbated by drainage issues caused by the overloading of the drains.
As part of Lincolnshire County Council’s innovative Project Groundwater – which aims to better understand the causes and effects of groundwater flooding – an investigation will now be launched into the groundwater around the village. The research hopes to uncover possible flood risk solutions for all of Heighington, and not just the Millfield Academy site.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“It’s obvious that Heighington Beck overtopping during Storm Babet and other periods of heavy rain is a huge factor in flooding incidents. But lurking underneath the village, the threat of groundwater is little understood.
“The plan is to use modelling to understand how the groundwater in this area interacts with the drainage systems and what happens during periods of heavy rain. Then we can develop options for possible mitigation measures and reduce the flood risk for Millfield Academy and across the village of Heighington.”
To start the investigation, a meeting will be held at Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington to discuss the groundwater flooding issues with residents first hand. This will be at 5.45pm on 6 November 2024.
Data will be collected from previous flooding incidents, and from other organisations, agencies and businesses involved in flood risk and water management in the village.
You can find out more about Project Groundwater at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/projectgroundwater.
The causes of flooding in Heighington were initially investigated as part of a Section 19 flood investigation. The summary of these findings can be found at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/flood-risk-management/flood-investigations.