With the current spell of warm and dry weather continuing, the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
has urged businesses, councils and farmers to use water wisely
and be aware of regulations for drawing water from source.
Rivers, lakes and wetlands are key features of the landscape,
which support diverse and internationally important habitats of
plant and animal life. In order to protect plants, animals and to
manage the use of water resources, the licensing of abstractions
(taking water from a water source) and impoundments (a pool
of water formed by a dam or pond) to supply water for livestock
or wildlife, are important and necessary.
The Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2006, came fully into force in February 2007.
These regulations establish a management system for the use of
water within industry and agriculture, and, at the same time,
support the protection of NI’s water based ecosystems.
As this period of warm and dry weather continues the Northern
Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has streamlined its procedures
to more rapidly respond to farmers, small businesses and local
councils who have an urgent need of water at this time. Where the
protection of a crop needs irrigation, animals require drinking
water, or a new recreational area needs sprinklers to be
established, then NIEA will do its best to assist.
Dependant on the daily volume required the following actions can
be taken;
- Under the current legislation, if a business / farm needs up
to 10,000 litres per day (2,200 gallons), then that is
automatically permitted and the activity can proceed. If this low
volume abstraction is to be taken from a waterway or lake, then
the abstractor will be asked to install a still well. Pumping
from a still well will prevent animal life or fish from being
impacted. Advice on how to do this will be provided by NIEA.
- If a business, farm or local council requires a daily volume
between 10,000 and 20,000 litres or 2,200 to 4,400 gallons per
day, then the business, farm or council will need to notify NIEA
and indicate by map or grid reference where the proposed
abstraction point is to be. There is no fee for this notification
and NIEA will respond to you in writing.
- If a business, farm or local council requires greater than
20,000 litres (4,400 gallons) per day then a full licence is
required. An authorisation like this can be granted for a
seasonal period. The application fee for this type of full
authorisation is £157.
