Open consultation

Reserving water abstraction rights

From:
Environment Agency
Published
24 November 2025

Applies to England

Summary

We want your feedback on the Environment Agency’s proposed approach to reserving water abstraction rights.

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

This consultation is about the Environment Agency’s proposed approach to reserving water abstraction rights.  

The consultation document explains: 

  • why we are consulting and what we aim to achieve
  • the legislative context
  • the current approach to reserving water abstraction rights, and the justification for changing this approach
  • the proposed decision-making framework
  • the questions we have for you
  • how you can respond

We seek your views on the proposed framework, and ask you to consider what measures government and regulators may need to put in place in the future to improve the allocation of water resources.

Updates to this page

Published 24 November 2025

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