If you want to take more than 20 cubic meters (4,000 gallons) of water per day from a surface source (e.g. river, stream or canal) or from an underground source, you will need a licence to do this.

 

Abstraction licences are needed to ensure that water resources are safeguarded and that abstractions do not damage the environment. Without abstraction licences, persistent over-abstraction leads to shortages in water supply, increased river pollution by reducing dilution of pollutants, damage to wildlife habitats and ultimately to the loss of rivers for our recreation and enjoyment.

 

There are a number of exemptions, the most common being: