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Environment Agency consults on changes to charging system
to abstract water
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Proposals set out to better protect the environment and
England’s long-term water supply
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Focus on water security and more sustainable
abstraction
The Environment Agency has today (18 August) launched a
consultation
on changes to the way licence holders are charged to abstract
water from the environment.
England is facing increased pressure on its water resources
due to population growth and climate change. Based on recent
projections, more than 3.4 billion
additional litres per day will be needed in England by
2050, 23% more than today’s supplies. Without
action, we risk of significant water shortages in parts of the
country.
The water needs of the environment, society and the economy
need to be balanced, both now and in the future. All businesses
are required to have an abstraction licence to take more than 20
cubic metres a day from a river, stream, canal or groundwater.
Reviewing and updating the way organisations are charged for
these licences will help manage and protect our water
resources.
The new proposed charges – which have not changed for the
past 10 years – will be based on:
- the volume of water taken from the environment;
- where the water is taken from; and
- how much of that water is returned to the environment
Under the proposals, around 45% of abstractors will see
their annual charges decrease and 55% will see an increase.
Overall, three quarters (75%) of all abstractors will see either
a decrease or an increase of less than £100 in their
charges.
New applicants will also see a higher initial application
fee, in line with those charged for other permitting
regimes.
The changes will benefit the environment by enabling the
Environment Agency to invest more in upgrading infrastructure
assets to move water around the country, using data to improve
local management of water resources and protecting water-stressed
catchments such as chalk streams.
All those who abstract water from the environment –
including water companies, farmers, local authorities and other
organisations – are encouraged to take part before the
consultation closes on 10 November. Those affected will also
receive a letter from the Environment Agency this week.
Environment Agency Chief Executive Sir
said:
“In the face of the climate emergency, population
growth and rising demand for water, we need to protect our
rivers, aquifers and the environment; and ensure that those who
rely on water for their business or public supply can continue to
do so into the future.
“The proposed changes to the Environment Agency’s water
abstraction licence charges are designed to do that. They will
allow the EA to do more to protect our rivers and chalk streams;
to manage our water resources better for the public, businesses
and the environment; and to sustain supplies into the future,
helping us secure long term water resilience.
“I urge anyone with an interest to take part in this
consultation on this critical issue for us all.”
The Environment Agency and Defra published a joint
Water Abstraction
Plan in 2017 setting out the planned reforms
for water abstraction management over the coming years. It set
out how plans will reach sustainable levels of abstraction,
develop a stronger catchment focus and modernise the abstraction
service.
The Government will consult later this year on plans to
streamline the overall environmental regulatory framework for
abstraction licensing in England to create a modernised, flexible
system for all.
The Environment Agency consultation
opens today for 12 weeks until 10 November. The new charging
scheme will then be implemented from 1 April 2022.
