Guidance and regulation

The Environment Agency's charging scheme for environmental permits and abstraction and impounding licences from 1 April 2022.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 10 April 2024

• Appendix 1: Hydroelectric power water abstraction levels

  You will need to apply for a licence to authorise the amount of water you…

If you abstract water or plan to, you may need to apply for an abstraction licence.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 3 July 2023

How to apply to the Environment Agency for a water abstraction or impounding licence.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 1 June 2023

Use this service to view and share your licence information and to submit abstraction returns. Find out about water abstraction alerts.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 1 June 2023

The licences and permits you need, the documents you must prepare, and how to apply to build a hydropower scheme.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 13 December 2023

Use the pre-application advice service to find out the likelihood of getting a licence, what restrictions it may have and what you need to send with your application.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 3 July 2023

How to work out charges for water abstraction and impounding licences.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 18 July 2023

Apply to replace a time limited licence or condition that is expiring.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 26 March 2024

How to change, revoke or transfer your licence, including if the licence holder dies or becomes bankrupt and find out when changes can be enforced.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 1 June 2023

Where to install your meter, checking it's accurate, how often to check it and the records you must keep.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 2 June 2015

When you do not need a water abstraction licence from the Environment Agency for passive dewatering.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 10 December 2020

When you can use collected or harvested rainwater without a water abstraction licence.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 28 January 2021

Environment Agency regulatory position on when you can abstract water outside of the conditions of your abstraction licence during a ‘flood warning’ for purposes other than land drainage.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 20 February 2024

How to apply to the Environment Agency to trade water abstraction rights with another party.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 20 March 2024

Guidance for non-water company abstraction licence holders affected by prolonged dry weather and drought.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 7 March 2023

The hydrological information the Environment Agency may need when you apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 13 December 2023

A framework for water supply reservoirs and flood risk management, and how to apply it.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 28 March 2023

The Environment Agency has received an application from William George Topham, George Topham and Jean Papworth trading as Woodhall Farm Partnership for a licence to abstract (take) water.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 25 April 2019

This leaflet explains how abstraction or impoundment licences can be changed to restore sustainable abstraction.

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 1 November 2012

Notice of application for a drought permit

• From: Environment Agency
• Updated: 25 July 2019