Apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence

There are different types of water resources licences you can apply for. They are:

Not all abstraction and impoundment activities need a licence. Check if you need an abstraction licence or impounding licence.

If you need a licence, you must check your local abstraction licensing strategy to find out:

If your local abstraction licensing strategy shows that you are not likely to get a licence, you may be able to enter into an agreement with an existing licence holder to trade abstraction rights.

You may also need a separate environmental permit for your activity. Check if you need an environmental permit.

Check if you must provide safe passage for eels or get approval for a fish pass as part of your activity. If you do not do this, you may have to redesign your scheme later.

You may have to give hydrological information when you apply for a licence. You can check the important hydrological information the Environment Agency may ask for.

If you carry out an activity without a licence or permit when you need one, the Environment Agency may take enforcement action.

Managing your licence to protect the environment

The Environment Agency will apply conditions to an abstraction or impounding licence that are necessary to protect the environment and other water users. This may restrict your access to water at times when you may need it.

You may wish to carry out your own environmental assessment before progressing your licence application, to: