Water use and abstraction
This guidance is relevant to you if you take (abstract) water from ground or surface waters or store (impound) water on a watercourse to use for your business processes.
What you must do
Check if you need an abstraction licence
England and Wales
If you abstract more than 20 cubic metres (m3) of water per day from ground waters or surface waters, you must get an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.
Northern Ireland
If you abstract more than 20m3 of water per day, you must get an abstraction licence from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
If you abstract 20m3 or less of water per day you must:
- be able to demonstrate the volume of water you abstract
- minimise water leaks
- prevent any contamination or pollution.
If you abstract between 10m3 and 20m3 of water per day you must also notify the NIEA.
Scotland
If you abstract 10m3 or less of water per day you must comply with certain general binding rules (GBRs), and you will not need to contact SEPA.
If you abstract more than 10m3 of water per day, you must register with SEPA. If you abstract more than 50m3 of water per day, you will need an abstraction licence from SEPA.
SEPA’s practical guide gives more information about GBRs and guidance on the level of authorisation that you will need for your activity.
SEPA: Practical guide to the Water Environment Regulations (Adobe PDF - 540KB)
Check if you need an impoundment licence
England and Wales
If you impound (store) water on a watercourse, for example to create a reservoir, you will need an impoundment licence from the Environment Agency.
Northern Ireland
You can impound water without contacting NIEA as long as your impoundment:
- does not control the water level upstream
- is not associated with a water abstraction
- does not create a difference in height of more than one metre between the upstream and downstream water surfaces.
You will need an impoundment licence from NIEA to impound water in all other circumstances.
Scotland
You can operate existing weirs, such as a weir where the only purpose is to raise the water level upstream, as long as:
- the height difference between the upstream and downstream water surfaces is one metre or less
- the impoundment is not associated with a water abstraction
- the water level cannot be varied
- there is no impact on the migratory passage of salmon or sea trout.
You will need a licence from SEPA for all other existing weirs and before you build any new weirs. You may also need an engineering authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations. See SEPA’s practical guide for more information.
SEPA: Practical guide to the Water Environment Regulations (Adobe PDF - 540KB)
See our guidance on water use and efficiency for more detailed information, including guidance on how to apply for licences.
Good practice
Reduce the amount of water you use. This could reduce your water supply and effluent treatment costs, as well as your business' environmental impact.
Compare the amount of water you use with equipment suppliers’ recommended levels of water use. This will help you to see where you might be able to save water.
Reuse water wherever possible.
