Taking water from a surface or underground source is called abstraction. This includes taking water from:

• rivers
• streams
• drains
• reservoirs
• lakes
• ponds
• canals
• tidal waters and estuaries
• springs
• aquifers

Abstraction does not include taking water from:

• the sea in open coastal areas
• a discrete water such as an isolated lake or pond that has no outlet to another surface water source or connection to groundwater

If you plan to take more than 20 cubic metres (20,000 litres) a day, you are likely to need an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.

If you want to build or alter a structure that can permanently or temporarily change the water level or flow, check if you need a licence to impound water.

When you do not need an abstraction licence

You do not need an abstraction licence for:

• abstractions of 20 cubic metres or less a day, provided your abstraction is part of a single operation – if you abstract from the same source at multiple points, the exemption only applies if the combined total of all abstractions is 20 cubic metres or less a day
• filling ships or boats with drinking or ballast water
• water used for fire fighting
• abstraction (transfers) downstream of the normal tidal limit by navigation, harbour and conservancy authorities, other than in the hour before or after low tide
• abstraction in connection with dredging operations authorised by an authority in its statutory duties in relation to waters upstream of the normal tidal limit, and any abstraction downstream of the normal tidal limit
• abstraction of water within managed wetland systems (if the main abstraction into the system is licensed) and impounding works solely for the management, operation or maintenance of water within managed wetland systems
• abstraction of water with a high saline content from underground strata in the Cheshire basin (part of an existing exemption given to the former Mersey and Weaver River Authority in 1968)
• small scale dewatering of underground strata and abstractions of surface waters to prevent interference with building or engineering works where the abstraction lasts less than 6 consecutive months and does not take place from wells or boreholes, subject to further restrictions set out in regulation 5 of the Water Abstraction and Impounding (Exemptions) Regulations 2017
• low risk passive dewatering, if you follow the conditions in the passive dewatering regulatory position statement
• third-party operated dry docks that transfer water to and from a navigation authority’s water system
• emergency abstraction by port, harbour or conservancy authorities, provided they tell the Environment Agency using form WR341
• using rainwater collected from roofs and other surfaces – see regulatory position statement on collecting rainwater which explains when collected rainwater is exempt and when you need a water abstraction licence
• abstractions by His Royal Highness the King and the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster in their private capacities

For more information on exemptions see the Water Abstraction and Impounding (Exemptions) Regulations 2017.

Get advice

Ask the Environment Agency’s enhanced pre-application service for help if:

• you need advice
• you are not sure if your proposal needs a licence

Abstract groundwater

If you want to abstract groundwater you must check if you need to apply for consent to investigate a groundwater source before you apply for a licence. This includes boreholes, wells, springs, quarries and mineral workings.

You will need to do this if you want to:

• construct a well, borehole or other work (that relates to springs, quarries or mineral workings) from which you want to abstract groundwater

• extend the well, borehole or other work

• install or modify any machinery or apparatus which abstracts additional groundwater, such as installing a larger pump

Apply for an abstraction licence

Find out how to apply for a water abstraction licence.

Help us to improve water abstraction services

The Environment Agency is doing research to make it easier to do things like:

• find out what water is available to abstract
• apply for a water abstraction licence

We need feedback from users to make sure our improvements meet people’s needs. Sign up to take part in research.

Contact the Environment Agency