Farmers Called On To Comply With Abstraction Licences
If, as a business, you abstract water or if you intend to in the future, above 20 cubic metres per day, you will need to apply for an abstraction licence so you can take water from surface or underground sources, including rivers, streams, drains, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, canals, springs, aquifers and tidal waters/estuaries.
The Environment Agency works closely with businesses of all kinds, across all sectors, to ensure that they operate in compliance with their licence. If you approach your annual authorised volume, for example, you can discuss the issues with them to either adjust usage and save water, or to apply for an increase in licence quantities.
If an organisation commits an offence or breaches its licence conditions, enforcement action may be taken, including both criminal and civil sanctions, and fines of up to £20,000.
Unlicensed abstractions
Routine farm inspections have found that significant unlicensed abstractions are now taking place across Devon and Cornwall, with many farms reliant on private water supplies from boreholes, wells and springs – which means that the amount of water being abstracted is unmonitored, so farmers may not even be aware that they’re in breach of permit conditions.
In the last two years, inspectors from the Environment Agency have issued 70 actions to farmers in the region to have meters installed so they can monitor how much water is taken, applying for a licence if it’s clear that they need one based on the data they collect.
These licences come with conditions attached to ensure that both the environment and the rights of other abstractors are protected. Use of water under existing licences is regulated and the Environment Agency decides whether or not to grant new ones. Existing licences can also be amended or revoked if it’s found that abstraction is damaging the environment.
This will become increasingly important as time goes on and both climate change and population growth put increasing amounts of pressure on water resources.
By 2050, it’s predicted that the amount of available water could reduce by between ten and 15 per cent, so it’s essential that we all take steps to reduce our water consumption and be more efficient when it comes to use and reuse.
Lisa Best, agriculture team leader for the Devon and Cornwall Environment Agency, said: “All landowners should know how much water they are abstracting and ensure they have the relevant licence if needed. Abstracting water without the necessary licence or in breach of your licence conditions is an offence and could lead to enforcement action.
“Taking 20,000 litres of water a day is enough to wash over 100 cars. Taking more water than you are permitted could impact on other users and damage the environment.”
How can farmers save water?
Because agriculture in the UK has a significant water footprint (accounting for 73 per cent of the country’s total water consumption), reducing the amount of water abstracted by farms could make a big difference to resource availability in the future.
The good news is that there’s a lot that can be done to help farmers become more water efficient:
Understand water usage
The first step to saving water is knowing how you use it on a daily and weekly basis. This will allow you to identify the best ways to save, as well as helping you to remain compliant with your licence conditions.
Repair water leaks
Prioritise water leak detection and repair at all times to prevent water wastage. Checking pipes and monitoring your bills will help you spot leaks in good time.
Only irrigate when necessary
During dry periods, irrigation is one of the biggest consumers of potable water, so aim to optimise this practice through site monitoring and data analysis, covering soil moisture deficits, weather forecasts and crop growth stage.
Consider alternative water sources
There are many alternatives available to groundwater supplies if you want to reduce your water footprint. Investigate the likes of rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, reclaiming wastewater, desalination and stormwater harvesting.
Change business water supplier
Saving water and money can be achieved if you find a different water supplier. The switching process involves an audit of your site so you can identify weak and vulnerable areas, introducing the appropriate water-saving solutions over time and evolving them in line with the changing needs of your business.
If you’d like to find out more about how to make the move to a different retailer, get in touch with the Switch Water Supplier team today.