Water abstraction licensing
Expert support to secure the necessary permissions for water abstraction and impoundment. We handle all regulatory work with the Environment Agency and other regulators.
Water abstraction & impoundment licences
Our team checks your local ALS (Abstraction Licence Strategies) and CAMS (Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies) to determine water availability in your catchment area and assess the likelihood of a successful application.
We specialise in water licensing and handle all regulatory work associated with groundwater and surface water abstractions. Our experienced consultants collaborate with the Environment Agency to secure permissions, ensuring full compliance with all conditions and requirements.
Any abstractions above 20 cubic metres per day require a Water Abstraction Licence from the Environment Agency.
Licence types we apply for
Full Licence
For most types of water abstraction over 20 cubic metres a day.
Transfer Licence
To move over 20m³ of water per day from one source to another without intervening use.
Temporary Licence
For short-term or seasonal water abstraction requirements.
Impoundment Licence
To create an impoundment structure such as a sluice, weir or dam.
Borehole abstraction licence
If you plan to abstract more than 20 cubic metres of water per day from a borehole, you will need a borehole abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.
We offer full support — from drilling your waterwell to completing the installation and securing the appropriate water licensing.
Surface water abstraction licence
Surface water supplies from rivers, lakes or ponds often require careful planning and permissions. We determine flow rates and conduct water features surveys to satisfy EA requirements.
We have extensive experience in obtaining surface water abstraction licences and offer consultancy and source investigation services.
Our licensing process
Initial assessment
We check your local ALS and CAMS data to determine water availability and assess the likelihood of a successful application.
Pre-application
Where beneficial, we engage in pre-application discussions with the Environment Agency to understand any specific requirements or concerns.
Application preparation
We prepare and submit the full licence application with all supporting documentation, including hydrogeological assessments where required.
Liaison & management
We manage the application through to determination, liaising with the EA on your behalf and responding to any queries or requests for additional information.
Compliance support
Once your licence is granted, we help ensure ongoing compliance with licence conditions through monitoring, reporting and regular reviews.
Related services
Need a water abstraction licence?
Contact us to discuss your requirements. We handle the entire process on your behalf.