Guidance

Groundwater protection position statements

How the Environment Agency carries out government policy for groundwater and adopts a risk-based approach where legislation allows.

• From: Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 14 March 2017
• Last updated: 2 October 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

The Environment Agency’s approach to groundwater protection (under review)

Ref: LIT 7660

PDF, 1.16 MB, 56 pages

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Details

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 were implemented on 2 October 2023.

We are reviewing the Environment Agency’s approach to groundwater protection and updating it where applicable. We will hold an appropriate consultation on any changes to the guidance before we republish it.

These position statements describe the Environment Agency’s approach to managing and protecting groundwater. They update Groundwater protection: principles and practice (GP3).

This document helps anyone whose current or proposed activities have an impact on, or are affected by groundwater such as:

• developers
• planners
• environmental permit applicants and holders
• water abstractors

Many of the approaches set out in the position statements are not statutory but may be included in, or referenced by, statutory guidance and legislation.

Environment Agency staff use these position statements as a framework to make decisions on activities that could impact on groundwater. This clear approach aims to remove uncertainty and potentially inconsistent decision-making.

Published 14 March 2017

Last updated 2 October 2023 + show all updates

1. 2 October 2023

   Added a note to the publication 'Details' to say the Environment Agency is reviewing its approach to groundwater protection and updating it where applicable. This because The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 were implemented on 2 October 2023. The Environment Agency will hold an appropriate consultation on any changes to the revised guidance before they republish it.

2. 22 March 2018

   Updated The Environment Agency’s approach to groundwater protection.

3. 9 November 2017

   New position statement and supporting text: J9 National quality mark scheme for land contamination management (NQMS).

4. 14 March 2017

   First published.