Abstraction Licensing
The supply of water is limited, so we ensure that it is managed and used effectively to meet society's needs and those of the environment. Whether you want to apply for an abstraction licence, read about the current UK and EU legislation surrounding licensing, proposals to change the licensing system or Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS), you will find the information you require here.
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A guide to getting your licence (Acrobat, 947KB, 1minute)
This guide gives a brief outline of why abstraction licences are necessary and how you can apply for one. - Abstraction Licensing Applications
If you want to take more than 20 cubic metres (4,000 gallons) of water per day from a river, stream or canal, you probably need a licence. - Notices of abstraction licence applications
Including all current water resource applications for full, impounding, variation, transfer and transitional licences. Plus, notices of revocations. - Water Rights Trading
This involves the transfer of the rights to abstract water from one person to another. - Compensation guidelines for changes to water abstraction licences
Setting out guidelines for determining compensation payments arising from the revocation or variation of abstraction licences - plus our approach to determining these payments. - Restoring Sustainable Abstraction
We set up the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction (RSA) programme to identify sites which may be at risk from unsustainable abstraction. This provides us with a way of prioritising and resolving these concerns. - The Water Act 2003
Changes to licensing will affect some companies and individuals, so this page offers information to abstractors about the how they may be affected, where further guidance can be obtained and when changes will take place. - Hydropower
The Environment Agency regulates the production of hydropower generated by reservoirs and other smaller scale developments. - Abstraction Charges
- Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS)
The gateway to all of the CAMS for England and Wales.
If you need anymore information on abstraction licensing, then please send an e-mail to enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
