Water abstraction (GAEC 18)
| The aim of these rules is to protect water resources by licensing abstraction of water for irrigation. They apply to you if you abstract more than 20 cubic metres (4,400 gallons) of water in a period of 24 hours from inland water (such as a river or stream) or an underground source (such as a well or borehole) for irrigation. |
If you hold a water abstraction licence for irrigation purposes:
A.
You must
- meet the conditions within any water abstraction licence you hold for irrigation purposes.
If you do not hold a water abstraction licence for irrigation purposes:
B.
You must
- contact the Environment Agency at the earliest opportunity if you want to start abstracting more than 20 cubic metres (4,400 gallons) of water for irrigation in a period of 24 hours, or change your existing abstraction licence to authorise irrigation.
If you abstract 20 cubic metres (4,400 gallons) or less in a period of 24 hours you do not need an abstraction licence.
Further advice and guidance
To help you comply with your water abstraction licence, the Environment Agency has published a short list of tips on their website called Top tips for complying with your water abstraction licence.
You can view and make representations on abstraction licence applications in your area through the Environment Agency website.
A guide to getting your licence is produced by the Environment Agency and is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Guidance for Cross Compliance in England: Management of Habitats and Landscape Features (rpa176) is available on our website at rpa.defra.gov.uk/crosscompliance/farmerguidance.
Environment Agency: 03708 506 506 |
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Page published: 30 December 2011