Groundwater flooding risk assessment

Groundwater flooding is a rise in the water table to a level that threatens foundations, basements and utilities. It develops gradually and is often noticed late: damp or water in the basement, salt marks on walls, softening soil, foundation settlement and cracks. A flooding risk assessment identifies the likelihood, causes and consequences of this process in advance.

On the Absheron Peninsula the causes vary: naturally shallow groundwater in low-lying areas, leaks from water and sewer networks, irrigation, poor stormwater drainage and new buildings blocking the natural groundwater flow. In some areas groundwater is saline, so flooding also accelerates corrosion of concrete and reinforcement.

The assessment includes analysis of existing geological and hydrogeological data, study of site topography and drainage conditions, water level measurements in boreholes and chemical analysis of water. The site is then classified by flooding potential, and the predicted maximum level and its effect on buildings are stated.

The report recommends practical protection measures: a drainage system, upgraded waterproofing, surface water management, raising ground levels or abandoning a basement. The service is especially useful before buying a plot or for buildings already showing signs of flooding.

When you need it

• Before purchasing a plot
• When designing a building with a basement
• When damp or water appears in an existing building
• When preparing a master plan for a residential area
• When large-scale construction starts nearby

What's included

• Analysis of existing and archive data
• Study of site relief and surface runoff
• Water level measurements in boreholes
• Chemical water analysis
• Identification of flooding causes
• Forecast of maximum water level
• Recommendations on protection measures

How we work

1. Gathering information on the site and problem
2. Site visit and analysis of topographic data
3. Drilling and measurements
4. Laboratory analysis
5. Risk assessment and report

Deliverables

• Flooding risk assessment report
• Groundwater level and forecast
• Analysis of flooding causes
• Protection recommendations