Form: Application forms: new abstraction licence for a previously exempt abstraction

Updated: Forms and guidance notes have been updated to reflect feedback from stakeholders.

Complete the application form for a water resources licence part A to tell us about you and the type of licence you are applying for.

Complete the application form for a water resources licence part B to tell us what you want the water for.

Evidence we need to support your application

You must provide evidence that abstraction took place during the 7 year qualifying period before the exemption was removed. Examples of evidence include:

  • meter readings
  • invoices for equipment
  • photos of infrastructure
  • business receipts or contracts

See the document on this page called ‘New authorisations evidence guide’ for more information.

Quantities of water

You must tell us about the quantities of water you have abstracted during the 7 year qualifying period.

If you do not measure the quantities of water you abstract, you must give us estimates and calculations to support the quantities that you have applied for.

The main ways to work out your quantities are:

  • flow metering
  • spot flow measurement
  • theoretical hydraulic calculation

For surface water abstractions that you have not metered, we recommend that you do abstraction spot flow measurements. This will give you an estimate of the volumes you are taking. You will not need to give us more evidence if you do this correctly.

If you cannot carry out spot flow measurements or meter your abstraction, please complete the document on this page called ‘New authorisations structure table and volume validation: form WR365’ to calculate your abstraction rate.

Pay by debit or credit card

Pay for your licence by debit or credit card (form CC1).



Detailed guide: Apply for a new abstraction licence for a previously exempt abstraction

Updated: The exemptions for abstraction licence control were removed on 1 January 2018.

Types of water resources licence you can apply for

You need to apply for one of the following:

  • a transfer abstraction licence – to abstract more than 20 cubic metres of water a day to transfer it from one source of supply to another without intervening use
  • a full abstraction licence – to abstract more than 20 cubic metres of water a day for more than 28 days

Apply for a new abstraction licence for a previously exempt abstraction

For a new abstraction licence for a previously exempt abstraction (also known as a new authorisation), you have 2 years from 1 January 2018 to send in your valid application.

Complete the application form for a water resources licence part A to tell us about you and the type of licence you are applying for.

Complete the application form for a water resources licence part B to tell us what you want the water for.

Application forms: new abstraction licence for a previously exempt abstraction.

You can continue to abstract water at your current rate until the Environment Agency has reached a decision on your application. If you need to abstract more water than you’ve applied for while your new authorisation licence application is being determined, you’ll need to apply for an abstraction licence.

Cost of a licence application

When you apply for a licence, or want to vary an existing licence, you must pay an application fee. Fees and charges are set out in our abstraction charges scheme.

Some applications have to be advertised. If this applies to your application, you will need to pay a £100 administration fee to the Environment Agency to advertise your application in the local newspaper. You’ll also have to pay the cost of the advert.

See our notices of water resources licence applications.

Annual fees may also be payable – see managing your licence.

Fees and charges may change every April.

After the Environment Agency has received your application

When the 2 year application period has closed the Environment Agency can take up to a further 3 years to determine your application. We’ll let you know whether we’ll grant you a licence and explain our decision.

The licence will contain the conditions you must follow to legally abstract water.

If you do not apply for a licence

It’s your responsibility to apply for a licence if and when you need one before the application period closes. The Environment Agency may take enforcement action if you do not apply and continue to abstract.

Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm



Press release: Karen Pierce appointed as Britain’s new Ambassador to the UN

Karen is the first woman appointed to this role, and is uniquely suited for the position having previously served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, and more recently as the Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.

The current Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Matthew Rycroft, has been in the post since 2015 and will handover in January 2018 when he returns to London to take up his new role as Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Development.

On being announced as the new Ambassador to the United Nations, Karen Pierce said:

The UK has long been a strong supporter of the UN and its role at the heart of the global rules-based international system at a time when it is coming under challenge. Through our role as a permanent member of the Security Council and position as the UN’s third largest donor, the UK will continue to work with others to tackle the pressing security, stability, development and prosperity challenges of today.

Our security and economic interests depend to a large extent on a strong and effective United Nations. I am honoured to be appointed as the UK’s Ambassador and to head the UK cross-government effort at the UN. I undertake to ensure we are an active force in New York for progress and partnership.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

Britain has a proud history of working for positive change through the United Nations, not least in addressing the problems in Libya and Syria. I know Karen has the diplomatic skills, energy and patience to continue this vital work, and I congratulate her on her appointment.

Notes to editors

Karen Pierce’s full career history can be found here.



Press release: Queen approves Knighthood for Antony James Zacaroli QC

The Queen has approved a Knighthood for Antony James Zacaroli QC.

The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon Antony James Zacaroli QC on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court.

Antony James Zacaroli was called to the Bar in 1987 and took Silk in 2006.



News story: Consultation on revised arrangements for GCSE computer science

Ofqual has today (27 November 2017) launched a consultation that proposes changes to non-exam assessment in GCSE computer science given evidence of widespread rule breaches.

Non-exam assessment in computer science is intended to test students’ programming skills and is worth 20% of the overall 9 to 1 grade. However, there is evidence that some of this year’s tasks have been posted to online forums and collaborative programming sites, contrary to exam board rules. Detailed solutions have been provided in many cases, and some of these posts have been viewed thousands of times.

The apparent extent of malpractice in this qualification leads us to believe that it is no longer possible for exam boards to ensure that grades awarded next summer will fairly reflect the ability of all students unless changes are made to the assessment arrangements.

We are asking for views on alternative assessment arrangements that would apply to students sitting exams in 2018 and 2019. Our preferred option is to retain the need for the non-exam assessment task to be completed by students, but for it not to contribute to their overall 9 to 1 grade. We continue to believe that there is significant value in students completing programming tasks and they will be required to do so. It is our expectation that teachers will want to provide feedback to students on their completed task as preparation for their exams, which include the assessment of computational thinking and programming, though they will not be required to formally provide marks for each student to their exam board.

Julie Swan, Executive Director for General Qualifications, said:

It is with great reluctance that we are proposing to change a qualification for which students are already studying. However, we must take immediate action to address these issues and the potential impact on public confidence in relation to this qualification. Subject to the consultation responses, we believe our preferred solution will deliver fairer and more reliable results than would otherwise be the case. It will also allow us to be confident, that standards will be set appropriately.

The consultation will run until 22 December 2017. It includes a discussion of the need to consult in due course on a longer-term solution for non-exam assessment as part of this qualification. Responses will be reviewed over Christmas and a decision announced in the week beginning 8 January 2018.