This release includes measures installed under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Green Deal schemes. It also includes further analysis and geographical breakdowns of ECO measures, ECO delivery costs, estimated carbon and energy savings from measures installed and the supply chain. These statistics are provisional and are subject to future revisions.

You can view your water abstraction or impoundment licence information online.

If your circumstances or need for water changes, you can apply to vary or revoke your abstraction or impoundment licence.

Change (vary) your licence

Major change

A major change is anything more than a change to contact details. Contact the Environment Agency if you are not sure if your change is major.

To make a major variation to your abstraction licence read the guidance and complete all of these forms:

• Part A application for a water resources licence
• Part B application for a water resources abstraction licence
• Part C application for a water resources abstraction licence

See the water resource application forms and form guidance.

To make a major variation to your impoundment licence read the guidance and complete all of these forms:

• Part A application for a water resources licence
• Part B application for a water resources abstraction licence
• Part D application for a water resources impoundment licence

See the water resource application forms and form guidance.

See the Abstraction charges scheme to find out how much it will cost to vary your licence.

Minor change

To make a minor change, such as updating your name and address:

• complete the form application to make minor changes to a water abstraction licence

There is no application charge to make a minor change to your licence.

Reduce the quantity of water you abstract

Complete the form application to reduce a licensed water abstraction quantity.

There is no application charge to reduce the quantity of water you are licensed to abstract.

Transfer your abstraction licence

To transfer the whole of an abstraction or impoundment licence from one person to another:

• complete the form notice to transfer water abstraction or impoundment licence

There is no application charge to transfer your licence to someone else.

Split (apportion) your abstraction licence

To split (apportion) an existing licence between two or more persons:

• complete the form application and agreement to share a water abstraction licence

There is no application charge to split (apportion) your licence.

Revoke your licence

Complete the form application to revoke a water abstraction licence to revoke your abstraction licence.

Make sure you fill in the correct licence number when you apply for a revocation.

Contact us if you want to revoke your impoundment licence.

There is no charge to revoke a licence.

Death or bankruptcy

If the licence holder dies or is an individual who is declared bankrupt, the licence can become the responsibility of (can be ‘vested’ in) their trustee.

The trustee must tell the Environment Agency within 15 months that they are responsible for the licence. If they do not, the licence will become invalid after 15 months.

There is no guarantee a new licence will be issued, but if it is, it may be more restrictive.

Enforced changes to your licence

If your licensed abstraction is causing or could cause damage to the environment, the Environment Agency may propose to change or revoke your licence. This will include adding a time limit to the licence if it does not already have one, unless you propose to make the licence change voluntarily.

The licence holder may be entitled to compensation. However, if your licence needs to be changed or revoked because it is causing or could cause serious damage to the environment, you will not be entitled to compensation.

To help you understand whether you are eligible for compensation, read the leaflet Restoring sustainable abstraction: compensation, or email the Environment Agency Restoring Sustainable Abstraction team:

Email: rsa@environment-agency.gov.uk

Contact the Environment Agency

Measure your water abstraction

Most licences require you to accurately measure and report the quantity of water you abstract. The Environment Agency will discuss these requirements with you while they determine your application.

You need to measure and record the amount of water you abstract so you can keep within the limits allowed in your licence. If you think you need to abstract more than your maximum quantity, you must tell the Environment Agency straight away. There is no guarantee that we will be able to increase the maximum quantity your licence allows you to abstract.

We need accurate records of how much water is taken so we can:

• ensure society’s need for water is balanced with that needed to maintain a healthy aquatic environment
• allocate spare resources to other abstractors
• charge some abstractors based on how much water they take
• check compliance with licence conditions
• provide information on water usage

Report your water abstraction

Your abstraction licence will tell you how often you need to record the amount of water you abstract. Most licences will also ask you to submit a record of your actual abstraction (known as ‘returns’) to the Environment Agency.

Even if you have not taken any water, you must submit a ‘nil’ return if your licence states that you must report your water use.

If you do not submit your record of actual abstraction when required to do so, we may take enforcement action.

If you spray irrigate and hold a two part tariff billing agreement your charges are partially calculated on the amount of water abstracted. To gain the full financial benefits of this agreement it is important that you submit your return, even if you have not abstracted any water.

Submit your water abstraction returns

You can submit your water abstraction returns using forms supplied by the Environment Agency or use their online reporting system called Generic Operator Returns (GOR).

Submit water abstraction returns.

Contact the Environment Agency

You can view the information on each of your water abstraction or impoundment licences by creating an online account.

You can also:

• check your licence start and end dates
• check your points and periods of abstraction
• give other people access to view your licence information

About this digital service

We’re modernising the water resources licensing service. One part of this work is to upgrade the water resources IT systems. This includes moving paper based licences into a digital format. You can find information about the latest upgrades to the service on this webpage.

Find out about the planned reforms in the Water abstraction plan: Abstraction licensing service.

The information included in this service does not replace or affect the legal (paper) copy of the licence issued to you. The information must be used for reference only. You must refer to and comply with the licence issued to you as a paper copy when you make decisions about abstracting or impounding water.