Guidance

Water abstraction or impounding: comment on applications

Updated 15 August 2025

Applies to England

The Environment Agency decides on applications to abstract or impound water in England.

Anyone concerned about an application for an abstraction or impounding licence can make representations to the Environment Agency about it. A representation is written communication supporting, objecting to or commenting on an application. This guidance explains how you do this.

1. The Environment Agency’s responsibilities

The Environment Agency has duties to:

• secure the proper and efficient use of water resources
• conserve, redistribute, augment and protect water resources
• protect and enhance the environment
• consider costs and benefits to contribute towards sustainable development
• promote the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of inland and coastal waters and associated land
• promote the conservation of flora and fauna that depend on aquatic environments
• promote the use of such waters and land for recreational purposes
• help protect and conserve buildings, sites and objects of archaeological, architectural, engineering and historic interest
• consider the effect of applications to abstract or impound water on the economic and social well-being of local communities in rural areas
• promote economic growth

The Environment Agency assesses all applications to abstract or impound water before deciding whether to grant a licence. The Environment Agency does not prejudge the outcome, or make a formal decision, until it has completed the required procedures and has all the information to fully assess the application.

The Environment Agency must publish applications in accordance with section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and regulations 6 and 7 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.

2. Finding details of licence applications

When an application for an abstraction or impounding licence or a variation to an existing licence needs to be advertised, the Environment Agency publishes notice of it on GOV.UK and in a local newspaper.

You can view notices of applications made for 28 days from when they are published.

The notice will include brief details of the proposed abstraction or impounding and any information that helps explain the application.

Notices will not include information that is commercially confidential or is subject to national security restrictions.

You can request a copy of the application form, map and other documents submitted with the application if required.

3. Making a representation

You must make any representations in writing, and they must be sent to the Environment Agency before the date specified in the public notice. If you cannot submit a representation in writing, please contact us to discuss this.

Send your representations to either the email address or postal address.

Email address: PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk

Postal address:

Environment Agency
Water Resources Permitting and Support Centre
Quadrant 2
99 Parkway Avenue
Sheffield
S9 4WF

Representations received within the 28-day period specified in the notice will be considered before the Environment Agency decides on a licence application.

You may wish to direct any comments in your representation to another body such as your local council (for example, if you are concerned about planning permission for a building development rather than the use of water).

4. What to include in your representation

You can make a representation about any aspect of an application, and the Environment Agency will consider it when reaching their decision. The Environment Agency cannot advise you on what to include in your representation, however, the following matters are of most relevance when deciding on a licence application:

• the likely environmental effects of the application and its impact on designated sites and species
• the likely effect of the application on the protected water rights of existing licence holders and other lawful water users
• the reasonable requirements of the applicant for water and its efficient use
• the consistency of the application with the Environment Agency’s strategy for water resources and the relevant Abstraction Licensing Strategy (ALS)
• the effect of the application on the social and economic wellbeing of local communities in rural areas
• the sustainability of the application and any effects on biodiversity
• the relative costs and benefits of the application
• the effect of the application on economic growth

Please be specific within your representation about the aspects of the application that are of most interest to you. This will help the Environment Agency when considering your representation.

5. Consideration of representations

After making a representation, the Environment Agency will:

• acknowledge receipt of your representation in writing
• if required, contact you to request to visit your property or clarify any details given in your representation
• determine licence applications within four months of receiving a completed application – unless a longer period is agreed with the applicant (for complex applications or technical issues)
• tell you of their decision on the application in writing

The Environment Agency could disclose your representation to ensure an open and transparent conversation between all parties. If you do not wish your representation to be disclosed, you must have a good reason and must provide this in writing alongside your representation. The Environment Agency may in any event be required to disclose your representation by law or in the interests of natural justice if the decision is appealed.

You have no right to appeal the Environment Agency’s decision on the application. You have a legal right, or may be entitled to compensation, if the Environment Agency grants a licence that results in loss of your water supply or protected right (as defined in sections 39 and 39A of the Water Resources Act 1991, as amended by the Water Act 2003).

If the application is refused, or the applicant is dissatisfied with any conditions included on the licence that is granted, they have the right to appeal the decision. If you have made a representation in writing, you will be notified of any appeal. You will then be able to make a further representation in writing to the Planning Inspectorate or possibly make a statement at a hearing or inquiry.

The conduct of the appeal hearing or inquiry will be a matter for the Planning Inspectorate. Hearings or inquiries are intended to be informal and do not require legal representation, but you may wish to engage the services of someone to represent you at your own expense.

6. Withdrawing your representation

You can withdraw a representation at any time before a decision is made on the licence application.

If you would like to withdraw a representation you can write to the Environment Agency confirming that you wish to withdraw it.

7. Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.