Apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence
How to apply to the Environment Agency for a water abstraction or impounding licence.
Official website: gov.uk00
How to use the service
Not all abstraction and impoundment activities need a licence. Check if you need an abstraction licence or impounding licence . If you need a licence, you must check your local abstraction licensing strategy to find out: what the water availability status is in your catchment if you are likely to get a licence If your local abstraction licensing strategy shows that you are not likely to get a licence, you may be able to enter into an agreement with an existing licence holder to trade abstraction rights . You may also need a separate environmental permit for your activity. Read the guidance to check if you need an environmental permit . Check if you must provide safe passage for eels or get approval for a fish pass as part of your activity. If you do not do this, you may have to redesign your scheme later. You may have to give hydrological information when you apply for a licence. You can check the important hydrological information the Environment Agency may ask for. If you carry out an activity without a licence or permit when you need one, the Environment Agency may take enforcement action.
Processing time
Abstraction licences may have a time limit linked to a common end date. You can find this in the abstraction licensing strategy for your area. When the Environment Agency grants a licence for the first time, it’s likely to be for between 6 and 18 years. They may also grant short duration licences where they think there may be issues with the licence or water availability in the longer term, or if you only need it for a short time. In certain circumstances, they will consider granting licences for up to 24 years. When they renew a licence it will normally be for another 12 years. It is the licence holder’s responsibility to apply to renew a licence before it expires.
Official source
Apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence
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