Water use and abstraction in agriculture
This guidance is relevant to you if you take (abstract) water from ground or surface waters or store (impound) water on a watercourse for use in agriculture.
In England and Wales, you do not currently need a licence for irrigation, except spray irrigation.
What you must do
Check if you need an abstraction licence in England and Wales
If you abstract
more than 20 cubic metres (m3) of water per day from ground waters or surface waters, you must get an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.
Check if you need an abstraction licence in Northern Ireland
If you abstract more than 20m3 of water per day, you must get an abstraction licence from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
If you abstract 20m3 or less of water per day you must:
- be able to demonstrate the volume of water you abstract
- minimise water leaks
- prevent any contamination or pollution.
If you abstract between 10m3 and 20m3 of water per day you must also notify the NIEA.
Check if you need an abstraction licence in Scotland
If you abstract 10m3 or less of water per day you must comply with certain general binding rules (GBRs), and you will not need to contact SEPA.
If you abstract more than 10m3 of water per day, you must register with SEPA. If you abstract more than 50m3 of water per day, you will need an abstraction licence from SEPA.
SEPA’s practical guide gives more information about GBRs and guidance on the level of authorisation that you will need for your activity.
SEPA: Practical guide to the Water Environment Regulations (Adobe PDF - 540KB)
Check if you need an impoundment licence in England and Wales
If you impound (store) water on a watercourse, for example to create a reservoir, you will need an impoundment licence from the Environment Agency.
Check if you need an impoundment licence in Northern Ireland
You can impound water without contacting NIEA as long as your impoundment:
- does not control the water level upstream
- is not associated with a water abstraction
- does not create a difference in height of more than one metre between the upstream and downstream water surfaces.
You will need an impoundment licence from NIEA to impound water in all other circumstances.
Check if you need an impoundment licence in Scotland
You can operate existing weirs, such as a weir where the only purpose is to raise the water level upstream, as long as:
- the height difference between the upstream and downstream water surfaces is one metre or less
- the impoundment is not associated with a water abstraction
- the water level cannot be varied
- there is no impact on the migratory passage of salmon or sea trout.
You will need a licence from SEPA for all other existing weirs and before you build any new weirs. You may also need an engineering authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations. See SEPA’s practical guide for more information.
SEPA: Practical guide to the Water Environment Regulations (Adobe PDF - 540KB)
See our guidance on water use and efficiency for more detailed information, including guidance on how to apply for licences, in:
England on Business Link: Use water efficiently - the basics
Northern Ireland on NIBusinessInfo: Use water efficiently - the basics
Scotland on Business Gateway: Use water efficiently - the basics
Wales on Business.Wales.gov.uk: Use water efficiently - the basics
Reservoirs
If you have a reservoir on your farm that is capable of holding more than 25,000m3 of water above natural ground level, you must register it with the Environment Agency in England and Wales or with your local authority in Scotland. You must appoint a panel engineer to supervise and inspect it.
For information about reservoir safety and how to register your reservoir, see the Environment Agency website or the Scottish Government website.
Good practice
Reduce the amount of water you use. This could reduce your water supply and effluent treatment costs, as well as your business' environmental impact.
Compare the amount of water you use with equipment suppliers’ recommended levels of water use. This will help you to see where you might be able to save water.
Reuse water wherever possible.
When irrigating crops do not apply more water than the crops need. Use a well-designed watering system and monitor the amount of water you use and the amount running off. Consider recycling water that is lost during irrigation.
Monitor the amount of privately supplied water you use and compare this against benchmark standards for livestock watering.
Collect rainwater from your roofs. This is a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to using water from the mains supply.
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Case study: Farm saves £200k per year through water efficiency
An organic livestock and arable farm in Berkshire reduced its water consumption by installing waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, spray taps and a reed bed system to treat and recycle wastewater. Wastewater from the onsite abattoir is treated by a dissolved air filtration plant before entering the reed bed system, along with wastewater from the farm, staff cottages and conference centre. The farm now uses 1600m3 less water, saving £200,000 per year.
Find out how to save water with our water efficiency guidance.
Water use and efficiency
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The Environment Agency has produced a guidance booklet that gives advice on water efficiency.
