Northumbrian Water Limited: applications made to abstract water
Published 24 July 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/northumbrian-water-limited-npswr046922-npswr046923-npswr046924-npswr046927-npswr046928-and-npswr047436-applications-made-to-abstract-water/northumbrian-water-limited-applications-made-to-abstract-water
Details of the applications
Northumbrian Water Limited has applied to the Environment Agency for licences.
The Environment Agency is giving notice of these applications in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.
The proposal is to split the individual sources of supply and transfer activities currently authorised under existing licence 1/23/01/001 into six new licences.
Full licence applications:
Application 1 (NPS/WR/046922) – Full licence to abstract water from surface water at National Grid References (NGRs) at NZ 06 68 and NZ 07 67.
The application is to abstract water from the combined abstraction points, with the total abstraction from both points not exceeding:
- 7,575.75 cubic metres an hour
- 181,818 cubic metres a day
- 66,363,570 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
The water will be used for public water supply.
Application 2 (NPS/WR/046924) – Full licence to abstract water from surface water at National Grid Reference (NGR) NT 74 02.
The application is to abstract water as follows:
- 2,655 cubic metres an hour
- 63,700 cubic metres a day
- 23,314,200 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
The water will be used for public water supply.
Transfer licence applications:
Application 3 (NPS/WR/046923) – A licence to abstract water from surface water at NGR NY 96 75 and transfer it to another surface water via a pipeline to maintain water levels at NGRs NZ 03 71, NZ 03 71, NZ 04 71 and NZ 06 68 without intervening use.
The application is to abstract water as follows:
- 7,575 cubic metres an hour
- 181,818 cubic metres a day
- 66,363,570 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
It is proposed that the combined quantity transferred under this licence application and the associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/046928) will not exceed 181,818 cubic metres per day.
Application 4 (NPS/WR/046927) – A licence to abstract water from surface water at NGR NY 94 77 and transfer it to another surface water via gravity flow to maintain water levels at NGRs NY 96 76 and NY 96 76 without intervening use. This application is linked to associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/047436).
The application is to abstract water as follows:
- 3,788.42 cubic metres an hour
- 90,922 cubic metres a day
- 33,277,452 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
It is proposed that the combined quantity transferred under this licence application and the associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/047436) will not exceed 90,922 cubic metres per day.
Application 5 (NPS/WR/046928) – A licence to abstract water from surface water at NGR NY 97 76 and transfer it to another surface water via a pipeline to maintain water levels at NGRs NZ 03 71, NZ 03 71, NZ 04 71 and NZ 06 68 without intervening use.
The application is to abstract water as follows:
- 7,575 cubic metres an hour
- 181,818 cubic metres a day
- 66,363,570 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
It is proposed that the combined quantity transferred under this licence application and the associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/046923) will not exceed 181,818 cubic metres per day.
Application 6 (NPS/WR/047436) – A licence to abstract water from surface water at NGR NY 94 78 and transfer it to another surface water via gravity flow to maintain water levels at NGR NY 94 77 without intervening use. This application is linked to associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/046927).
The application is to abstract water as follows:
- 3,788.42 cubic metres an hour
- 90,922 cubic metres a day
- 33,186,530 cubic metres a year.
Between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.
It is proposed that the combined quantity transferred under this licence application and the associated transfer licence application (NPS/WR/046927) will not exceed 90,922 cubic metres per day.
How to view the application
Please contact us via email or use the number below to arrange to see the application documents.
How to comment on the application
Send any representations about these applications in writing, quoting the name of the applicant and Reference Numbers NPS/WR/046922, NPS/WR/046923, NPS/WR/046924, NPS/WR/046927, NPS/WR/046928 and NPS/WR/047436 to the Environment Agency, at the Permitting and Support Centre, Water Resources Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF or by email to PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk
By 21 August 2026.
For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.