Renew a water abstraction licence

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 madedecided a decision before the time limit expires, you can carry on abstracting water until they do decide.

If a condition or conditions on your licence have a time limit, you need to apply to renew the conditions at least 3 months before they expire. If the Environment Agency hasdo not madereceive ayour decisionapplication beforeto therenew timea limitwhole expires,licence youor canpart onlyof carrya on abstracting water under the licence conditions that arewill notexpire time limited until theyafter do decide.

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  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.