dataset · United Kingdom

BGS Permeability version 8

The BGS Permeability data product shows estimated rates of water movement from the ground surface to the water table. BGS Permeability version 8 incorporates the latest geology mapping (BGS Geology 50k). This includes updates to the lithology-coding schema, the LEX_RCS. A 2-part code used to identify the named rock unit from the BGS lexicon of named rock units (LEX) followed by a Rock Classification Scheme (RCS) code which describes the rocks lithological characteristics e.g. texture and composi

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Source details

Licence: ["The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in an

Evidence quality: 28.1

Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).

Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z

What's in it

Data offered docs-verified: permeability: estimated rate of water movement from ground surface to water table
Coverage docs-verified: Great Britain
Resolution docs-verified: 1:50 000 scale (regional); next best available scale where geology is not mapped at that scale
Update frequency docs-verified: as needed
Access docs-verified: Licence: NERC/BGS access constraints; no price or authentication stated (auth null in ENTRY). Reuse is restricted: no part may be reproduced or transmitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Other BGS/data.gov.uk pages cite the Open Government Licence v3.0 in general, but this dataset's stated constraints take precedence.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Regional screening of infiltration potential for SuDS feasibility (highly permeable rock vs ponding-prone deposits) · Regional-scale infiltration and runoff context for natural flood management options · Engineering desk study input for slope stability and aquifer vulnerability screening
Audience llm-inferred: drainage engineers · flood consultants · geotechnical engineers · hydrogeologists · GIS analysts · planners

Limitations

Constraints docs-verified: Regional scale only; not recommended for site-specific use · Geology is mapped at 1:50 000, with a coarser scale used where that is unavailable · Access constraints restrict reproduction and transmission without BGS/NERC permission · BGS/NERC give no warranty as to accuracy or suitability for any use · Coverage stated as Great Britain, while ENTRY regions lists United Kingdom (Northern Ireland not stated) · No MCP tools listed in metadata (tools: [])

Evidence

Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.