Applying for a Water Abstraction Licence: A Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

If you need to abstract more than 20 m³/day of water in England, you must apply to the Environment Agency for an abstraction licence. In Wales, apply to Natural Resources Wales.

This guide covers the process in England. The Welsh process is broadly similar — contact NRW for Wales-specific guidance.

Before You Apply

Step 1: Check if You Need a Licence

Use the EA's online tool or call the National Customer Contact Centre (03708 506 506) to confirm whether you need a licence.

Step 2: Pre-Application Discussion

The EA strongly recommends a pre-application discussion, particularly for:

• Complex or high-volume abstractions.
• Abstractions in areas of water stress or where the water body is at risk.
• Groundwater abstractions requiring investigation consent.

The EA offers an enhanced pre-application service for complex cases (a fee applies). This can significantly improve the quality of your application and reduce the risk of refusal.

Step 3: Groundwater Investigation Consent (Groundwater Only)

If you want to abstract groundwater, you must first apply for consent to investigate the source. This allows you to drill a test borehole and conduct pump tests to establish the yield and assess impacts. You cannot apply for the abstraction licence until the investigation is complete.

The Application

What You Need

• Completed application form (available from GOV.UK).
• Site plan showing the abstraction point(s).
• Map showing the catchment area.
• Technical information about the proposed abstraction (source, volume, rate, purpose, method).
• Environmental assessment (for larger or more complex abstractions).
• Evidence of need (why you need the water and why you cannot use an alternative source).
• Application fee.

Application Fees (England)

Fees are set by the EA and vary by licence type and volume. As of 2024:

• Standard licence application: from £135.
• Complex licence application: from £1,600.
• Annual subsistence charge also applies once the licence is granted.

Submitting the Application

Applications can be submitted online via the EA's water abstraction licensing service, or by post.

What Happens Next

Consultation

The EA will consult with:

• Internal Drainage Boards.
• Navigation authorities.
• Other abstractors.
• Local authorities.
• Environmental bodies (Natural England, etc.).

The application will also be advertised publicly (in a local newspaper and on the EA website) for 28 days. Anyone can object.

Assessment

The EA assesses the application against:

• The availability of water in the catchment (using CAMS data).
• The potential environmental impact.
• The impact on other abstractors.
• The need for the water.

Decision

The EA will:

• Grant the licence (possibly with conditions).
• Modify the application (e.g., reduce the volume).
• Refuse the application.

Target determination time is 4 months for straightforward applications.

Conditions

Licences typically include conditions such as:

• Maximum daily, monthly, and annual abstraction volumes.
• Hands-off flow conditions (minimum river flows below which abstraction must cease).
• Metering requirements.
• Reporting requirements.
• Environmental monitoring requirements.

Appeals

If the EA refuses your application or grants it with conditions you consider unacceptable, you can appeal to the Secretary of State (via the Planning Inspectorate) within 28 days of the decision.

After You Get Your Licence

• Install and maintain approved meters.
• Submit annual abstraction returns to the EA.
• Comply with all licence conditions.
• Notify the EA of any changes to your abstraction operations.
• Keep your licence up to date — licences granted after 2012 are typically time-limited (12 years) and must be renewed.