Reserving water abstraction rights

Closes 16 Feb 2026

Opened 24 Nov 2025

Contact

wrnationalframework@environment-agency.gov.uk

Overview

We are seeking your comments on the Environment Agency's proposed approach to reserving water abstraction rights.

Please find the consultation document in the 'Related' section below. 

Consultation scope

This consultation focuses on regulating access to water directly from the environment and how the Environment Agency allocates water abstraction rights to new water resources proposals. It does not consider:  

  • prioritisation of who gets water from water company supplies

  • the temporary reallocation of water abstraction rights during drought or prolonged dry weather

  • the removal of or restriction of existing water abstraction rights due to non-use, under-use, or inefficient use of water

  • the removal or modification of existing water abstraction rights due to the need to address unsustainable abstraction 

Who will be affected by the proposals in this consultation?

These proposals are relevant to: 

  • current water abstraction or impounding licence holders 

  • groundwater investigation consent holders, and, 

  • future applicants for water abstraction rights 

Sectors potentially affected include: 

  • the water industry 

  • agriculture 

  • electricity supply (power) industry 

  • industry/commercial and amenity 

 

Why your views matter

Your comments to this consultation will be used guide decisions about how to reserve water abstraction rights for the future while enabling continued access to water resources in the short-term.

The consultation invites you to: 

  1. Comment on the proposed framework, which is based on existing legislation. This includes seeking views on: 

  • the proposed approach to determine licence applications to reserve water abstraction rights for strategic water resources schemes

  • the proposed approach to allocate reserved abstraction rights when there are competing demands for water  

  1. Consider what measures may need to be put in place in the future (for example, new legislation or governance) to improve the allocation of water abstraction rights as pressures on water resources grow. 

  2. Identify potential challenges or risks that could arise from implementing the proposed framework, and any suggestions for mitigation.  

Consultation principles

We are running this consultation in accordance with the guidance set out in the government's Consultation Principles.  

If you believe the consultation has not been run in accordance with the principles, please email consultation.enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.  

Otherwise, for all other queries relating to this consultation, please email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk. 

Ask for a printed copy of the consultation document

Please contact us if you need a printed version of the document to be posted to you. You can do this by contacting our National Customer Contact Centre:

  • Telephone: 03708 506 506 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
  • Minicom for the hard of hearing: 03702 422 549
Online consultation

Audiences

  • All water abstractors
  • Businesses
  • Environment Agency colleagues
  • Environmental bodies
  • Farming associations
  • Members of the public
  • NGOs
  • Statutory organisations
  • Water companies

Interests

  • Business and industry
  • Water resources