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Water Abstraction Permit

At present water abstraction permits are known as water abstraction licenses. But as from 2020 all existing licenses will shift over on to the new system of water abstraction permits.  This strategy is described in the response DEFRA's consultation on the current scheme., the results being published of 15th January 2016.

Skip to Ground Water Abstraction Permits or Surface Water Abstraction Permits

Under the new permits the amount of water that can be abstracted from a body of water (whether surface water or ground water) will depend on the availability of water within said body. A new charging system will mean that water taken from high risk / low resilience sources will cost more, whilst water abstracted from plentiful sources will be less expensive. 

Surface Water Abstraction Permits

If you take water from a surface water body at regular intervals, and the quantity is sufficient then you will require license (permit 2020) to do so. A Surface Water Abstraction Permit will be charged dependent upon the resilience of the water supply from which you are extracting.

There will likely be scope under permits to abstract large volumes during periods of high flow for storage, of course this method will be dependent on adequate storage being available.

Ground Water Abstraction Permits

In arid parts of the world ground water is often artificially "recharged" using injection wells or infiltration beds to help an aquifer recharge it store of water. Under water abstraction permits we may see higher up take of these methods in the UK, as abstraction limits will be set based on levels of resilience as will the unit price of water extracted.

What Does this Mean of Businesses?

As a result of these changes businesses will "win or loose" dependent on their location relative to abundant water sources.

Those businesses, for example brewers or agricultural businesses based near large rivers which maintain good flow during the summer months may well find themselves at a competitive edge owing to low water costs and little required in the way of capital outlay.

Those based near water sources that are less resilient, may find then selves paying high costs per unit volume for their water, and also having to invest in infrastructure to store seasonal gluts.

The upcoming legislative changes are likely to be disruptive for some.

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