The Environment Agency is warning that the number of boreholes being drilled in the West country without permission is on the increase.
Potential abstractors are being reminded to contact the Environment Agency for advice and to check about compliance first. With river levels and groundwater falling, landowners and businesses with boreholes, wells and springs are being urged to take a few simple steps to make sure they aren’t taking too much water.
One of the first things the Agency says people should do is check their abstraction licence. The EA is pointing out that estrictions can come into force after periods of dry weather so it is important licence holders know when to stop or reduce the amount of water they abstract. They also need to be aware of any specific conditions that apply.
If organisations are seeking to expand their business and require more water or if they want to start abstracting more than 20 cubic metres a day they will need to check whether sufficient water is available in their area.
The Environment Agency uses Abstraction Licensing Strategies to help plan the management of water resources which show where water may be available in various river catchments.
People are also being urged to check first before they apply for a licence. The Agency is also warning users that failure to do so is an offence and can result in enforcement action - the EA is undertaking spot checks to ensure licence holders remain compliant. Illegal abstraction is on the increase in some parts of the West country where boreholes are drilled without the appropriate permission.
Prospective abstractors should first contact the Environment Agency that can advise landowners and businesses on how to stay compliant with UK legislation. The EA is also highlighting that abstractors and their contractors are responsible for ensuring boreholes or wells are designed, constructed, tested, operated and decommissioned without polluting groundwater or impacting the surrounding surface water environment.
Anyone intending to abstract more than 20 cubic metres per day from a groundwater source needs an abstraction licence. They are also likely to need a groundwater investigation consent (GIC) under section 32 of the Water Resources Act and need to notify the British Geological Survey (BGS) if they intend to drill deeper than 15 metres.
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