There are currently over 1,000 time-limited water abstraction licences, or water abstraction licences with time limited conditions that are set to expire on or before 31st March 2025 in England. If you hold a water abstraction licence where the whole licence, or one or more conditions within the licence is approaching expiration, and you want to be able to continue abstracting after the expiry date, then you will need to apply to renew your licence.
Applications to renew a water abstraction licence must be received by the Environment Agency (EA) no less than three months before the expiry date of your existing licence, or licence conditions. However, to provide sufficient time to process your application, it is recommended that you apply now, or as soon as possible.
Complete this online form to apply to renew your licence with exactly the same terms for each license.
If you want to change any of the terms of your current licence at renewal, you need to submit a new licence application form.
Review your abstraction licence requirements
Given the extreme weather with floods and droughts over the last few years, the EA is asking farmers to review their overall water requirements for irrigation etc. well ahead of next year and, if necessary, apply for or change, revoke or transfer a water abstraction or impoundment licence. The pre-application advice service can be used to check the likelihood of you getting a licence, what restrictions it may have and what you need to send with your application.
