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Implementation of the abstraction elements of the Water Act 2003

Response to Defra and WAG consultation

Summary

The Environment Agency is committed to implementing the final stage of modernising the water abstraction licensing system under the Water Act 2003.  We believe it's essential to bring currently exempt major abstractions into regulatory control but are concerned about two key aspects of the proposals:

  • there is no funding for the compensation liability arising from the proposals; and
  • insufficient time has been allowed to implement them to Government's current plan of 1 October

Read our full response