Floods, Sewage, and Sudden Storms: Why Henley Must Act Now
In just 25 years, 1 in 4 properties in England will be at risk of flooding. To help bring this quite shocking statistic to life, the image below, taken from the Environment Agency’s Long Term Flood Risk Map, shows the projected likelihood of flooding in Henley between 2040 (that’s only 15 years from now) and 2060, with many areas of central Henley marked as having a high annual chance of flooding (over 3.3%).
Flash flooding
Contrary to popular belief, flooding is not just an issue for homes and businesses adjacent to the river – flash flooding from sudden and intense rainfall can strike anywhere with little-to-no warning. “Flash floods are often highly localised and tricky to accurately forecast – your house or road can be flooded whilst your neighbours remain safe and dry. Living on a hill, or away from a river doesn’t mean you can’t be flooded by surface water… and it can happen within minutes” says Dr Jess Neumann, an expert in flood risk management and community preparedness. “We have spoken many times with local people who did not think they would ever be at risk of flash flooding, then found themselves flooded. If people don’t think they are at risk, then they don’t prepare and it takes them by surprise.”
“We have spoken many times with local people who did not think they would ever be at risk of flash flooding, then found themselves flooded. If people don’t think they are at risk, then they don’t prepare and it takes them by surprise.”
Increased rainfall doesn’t just cause water to rise – it also flushes pollutants and untreated sewage into our rivers. As local citizen scientist from HoT Water, Dave Wallace, explains, “We have been testing the Thames at four locations every week since the start of 2025. This is giving us an excellent understanding of water quality and what might be causing fluctuations. Without a doubt, rainfall events strongly correlate with degradation in water quality”
“Without a doubt, rainfall events strongly correlate with degradation in water quality”
From floods to river pollution, the twin threats of extreme weather and failing water infrastructure are becoming harder to ignore. Recent tests by HoT Water, a local citizen science group, revealed E. coli levels in our stretch of the river Thames five times above the acceptable standard. This alarming trend even forced the Henley Swim to cancel for the first time in over 20 years.
So now what?
To tackle these issues head-on, Greener Henley is hosting a special Big Green Conversation on Wednesay 26th November at the Kenton Theatre: Protecting What We Love: Tackling Flooding and Pollution in Henley.
Aimed at everyone who lives or works in or around Henley on Thames and the surrounding villages, this event will convene a panel of experts including a flood scientist, an Olympic rower, a business owner, and a local leader with expertise in flooding for a timely and practical discussion on how we can build flood resilience and protect our homes, schools and businesses —right here in our town. The discussion will also cover how flooding will affect the sport of rowing and the Henley Royal Regatta, which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town every year.
🧠 Meet the Panel
- Dr Jess Neumann – Associate Professor in Hydrology at Reading University, expert in flood risk management and community preparedness
- Greg Searle MBE – Olympic rowing champion & Royal Regatta Steward leading in sustainability
- Jonathan Hobbs – Royal Waterman to His Majesty King Charles, and fifth generation owner of Hobbs of Henley
- Dr Pete Sudbury – Oxfordshire Flooding Taskforce, Oxfordshire County Council
Behaviour change facilitator and local resident, Kate Lloyd, will chair the panel.
Our experts will explore the impact on rowing of increased ‘red board’ days, when the river flows fast and may be in flood, disrupting year round training in Henley where the sport is central to the town’s identity. They will also examine how flooding and pollution affect local business continuity, and what steps can be taken to improve business resilience to shocks like flooding.
💧 What Can We Do?
This event isn’t just about highlighting problems—it’s about finding solutions. We’ll explore:
- What individuals and businesses can do to prepare for flooding
- How communities can monitor and protect water quality
- How local and national policies need to change
Book your ticket now and find out how these issues affect you.
