Proposed Regulatory Position Statement for low risk abstraction activities
Overview
We are seeking your views on the low risk abtraction activities to be included in a proposed new regulatory position statement (RPS). The proposed RPS would not alter the legal requirement to hold an abstraction licence, but it would set out conditions under which we would not normally take enforcement action.
An abstraction licence is needed for most abstractions of water over 20 cubic metres per day, and for some low risk abstraction activities this can be a blocker to the successful and timely delivery of projects. The aim of this proposed RPS is to allow for a more risk-based approach to regulation, whilst continuing to protect the environment and other water users. It will help reduce the regulatory burden on the public and business by providing a proportionate and pragmatic approach to regulating some low risk abstraction activities.
The RPS includes 8 abstraction activities linked to nature recovery and flood risk management activities, and 3 abstraction activities to allow for small open-loop heating and cooling systems to operate. The RPS will align with the Corry review recommendations and EA2030 to streamline our processes and adopt a more risk-based approach to regulation. By taking these activities out of regulation, the RPS will contribute to the government's target of a 25% reduction in the cost of regulation administration by the end of this parliament.
To help draft the RPS we have considered the views of our own technical specialists and those of some key external stakeholders involved in the assessment and delivery of nature recovery and flood risk management projects.
Why your views matter
We are now seeking your views to ensure the proposed RPS will appropriately reduce regulatory requirements upon those carrying out these activities, whilst still protecting the environment or other water users.
A draft copy of the RPS is included in Appendix 1 of this consultation document, or when you select 'Online consultation' below .
Your comments will be used to inform the final version of the RPS.
This consultation will run for six weeks from 10 February 2026 to 24 March 2026.
Responding to this consultation
The consultation will close at 23:59hrs on 24 March 2026. We will use your information to help inform the final version of the RPS. You can view the consultation on our consultation website Citizen Space. We will consider all responses received by the closing date before finalising our proposals.
Please submit this response using this online consultation tool, as this provides an easy and efficient way to respond. It will also help us to:
- gather all responses in one place
- summarise responses quickly and accurately
- reduce the cost of the consultation
If you do not wish to respond using the online tool, you can download the response form using the relevant link in the 'related' section at the end of this page and email the completed form to WRRegulation@environment-agency.gov.uk
Consultation principles
We are running this consultation in accordance with the guidance set out in the government's consultation principles.
If you have any queries or complaints about the way this consultation has been carried out, please email consultation.enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Otherwise, for all other queries relating to this consultation please email wrregulation@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Ask for a printed copy of the consultation document
Please contact us if you would like a printed version of the consultation document sent to you. You can do this by contacting:
National Customer Contact Centre
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Minicom for the hard of hearing: 03702 422 549
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Audiences
- District and parish councils
- Environment Agency colleagues
- Environmental bodies
- Farming associations
- IDBs
- Local authorities
- Local councils
- NGOs
Interests
- Environmental permitting
- Flood management
- Habitats and wildlife
- Permits
- Water resources
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook