Renew a water abstraction licence
Apply to replace a time limited licence or condition that is expiring.
Applies to England
If your whole licence has a time limit and you want to continue abstracting water after the date it expires, you must apply to the Environment Agency to renew your licence.
If there are any conditions on your licence that have a time limit and you want to extend the time limit, you must apply to the Environment Agency to renew them.
When you must apply
If your whole licence or part of your licence has a time limit, you need to apply to the Environment Agency to renew your licence or the part of it that will expire at least 3 months before it expires. If you do this and the Environment Agency has not decided before the time limit expires, you can carry on abstracting water until they do decide.
If the Environment Agency do not receive your application to renew a whole licence or part of a licence that will expire until after the expiry date, they may:
- not be able to renew your licence or the part of your licence that will expire on the same terms
- not be able to renew your licence or the part of your that will expire
- have to advertise your application to renew your licence or the part of your licence that will expire – you will have to pay for this
If you do not want to renew your licence you do not need to take any action. If it has an expiry date it will expire on that date. Alternatively you can apply to revoke (cancel) the licence before it expires. If part of your licence will expire and you do not want to renew the part that will expire, then you do not need to take any action. It will end on the expiry date and your licence will revert to how it was before you previously applied to vary it.
If the licence has time limited conditions, and you do not want to replace them, they will expire. You will only be able to continue abstracting under the conditions that are not time limited.
If your licence has already expired and you wish to continue abstracting, you will need to apply for a new licence.
If you abstract without a valid licence you may be breaking the law. The Environment Agency may take legal action against you.
Renew your licence with exactly the same terms
If you want to renew your existing licence or the time limited conditions with exactly the same conditions, complete the form Application for a new licence to replace a time-limited licence or condition.
How to complete your same terms renewal form
You need to complete one form for each licence.
When you submit your form you must also send:
- the application charge for same terms renewals – see the charge in section 2.7 in Water resources licences: when and how you are charged
- a map showing the area of land you have a right of access to and the abstraction point, reach or area you take water from
We will return your renewal application if you do not provide all the relevant information.
Renew your licence with different terms
If you want to make any changes to your current licence or licence conditions you must apply to renew the licence or licence conditions on different terms.
Complete the application forms for a new licence and follow the guidance notes.
When you submit your form you must also send the application charge for a different terms renewal – see the charge in section 2.7 in Water resources licences: when and how you are charged.
After you apply
The Environment Agency will consider the details in your form and use your abstraction data returns information when they make their decision.
Your abstraction must be environmentally sustainable. The Environment Agency need to make sure there’s enough water available for everyone and the environment. If they think they may need to change your licence they will contact you to discuss their proposals.
Contact us
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.
Last updated 26 March 2024 + show all updates
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Added in section 'When you must apply' information about renewing part of your licence.
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We've updated the page to make clear when to apply for a renewal, which application forms to use for the same and different terms renewals and how to find out the application charge.
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First published.