You could save up to 30% of your business’ water costs, and help to preserve water resources and protect the water environment, by taking simple low cost steps to cut your water use.
Where does your water come from?
If you only use water from the mains supply you will not need an authorisation or licence. Your water company will advise you on the availability of supply.
If you take or store surface water or groundwater from any source, you are abstracting or impounding water.
If you abstract or impound water, you may need an authorisation or licence from your environmental regulator, depending on how much you take.
Contact your environmental regulator
Surface water and groundwater sources include:
- rivers
- streams
- lakes
- reservoirs
- loughs (Northern Ireland)
- lochs (Scotland)
- estuaries
- coastal waters
- wells
- springs
- boreholes.
If you take large quantities of water from surface water or groundwater, for example for industrial, agricultural or manufacturing activities, you may have additional responsibilities.
In this guideline:
Abstracting and impounding water in England and Wales
Abstracting and impounding water in Northern Ireland
Abstracting and impounding water in Scotland
Why should you save water?
How to save water
Water use and efficiency further information
Water use and efficiency legislation
