Abstraction and impoundment licensing requirements
Important: The one year transitional period that was introduced alongside the introduction of the regulations ended on January 31st, 2008. This means that all abstraction/impoundment activities that apply after this date will be treated as new activities.
View the Proposal to Introduce a Fees and Charges Scheme Consultation Paper(.PDF 292Kb)
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Our surface water, coastal water and groundwater systems are valuable assets. The introduction of Abstraction and Impoundment Regulations and the creation of a Licensing Team will support the management of our water ecosystems.
It is in everyone's interest to conserve, protect and where possible improve the quality of water in Northern Ireland.
You can view the European Commission Water Framework Directive.(2000/60EC)(.PDF 867Kb) and also the
Habitats Directive (Links to EUR-Lex website) which are key to the decision to establish an Abstraction and Impoundment Licensing (AIL) team to support the protection of our water environment; a resource.
Water in rivers, lakes and wetlands are key features of our landscape, which also support diverse and internationally important habitats of plant and animal life.
In order to protect plants, animals and to manage the use of this resource, the licensing of abstractions and impoundments is necessary. This work is managed by the AIL team.
In implementing the legislation the AIL Team must consider the needs of industry and agriculture and must seek to achieve sustainability.
The effects of abstracting (taking water from a water souce) will vary depending on:
- Volume being abstracted
- Sensitivity of the ecosystem
- Seasonality
- Volumes returned
- Distances between abstraction and discharge points.
From an environmental perspective over-abstraction of a water body may lead to:
- Reduced water flow
- Reduction of water resources
- Stress or mortality of fish and/or invertebrates
- Increased risk of pollution through reduced dilution
- Damage to our landscapes.
The effect of an impoundment (A pool of water formed by a dam or pit, to supply water for livestock or wildlife, and to control gully erosion) on a water body will vary depending on:
- size
- design
- operation and control
- the sensitivity of the location.
A poorly designed or managed impoundment can:
- impede the movement of migratory fish
- be unsafe if accessible by the public
- cause build up of sediment leading to changes to the river bed habitat
- lead to changes in the natural morphology of the river.
The Water Framework Directive places controls over water abstractions and impoundments to make sure the directive’s objectives for water bodies are met.
The European Court of Justice has also ruled that in order to implement the Habitats Directive, abstraction projects should be assessed where abstractions, or impoundments, affect protected sites.
The Department of Environment (DOE) agreed to have an abstraction and impoundment control system in place by the end of 2006.
This involved the introduction of regulations that control the abstraction and impoundment of water and protect the water environment from damage.
Using these new regulations the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Abstraction and Impoundment Licensing team will monitor and control water bodies in Northern Ireland.
You can view the Abstraction impoundment NI Regs No 482(.PDF 86Kb) on the DOE Northern Ireland website. Alternatively, there will be extracts taken from it on our website.
Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
Agricultural water management projects, such as spray irrigation, which involve the impoundment, abstraction and/or diversion of water from surface, or underground sources of volumes greater than 200m3/day, may be required to submit an environmental statement to the DOE under the Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.
For more information you can view the EIA regulations 2005 and you can view the updates made in the
EIA amendments regulations 2006 (both links open the Office of Public Sector Information Website).
Otherwise, you can contact the Abstraction and Impoundment Licensing Team on AIL@doeni.gov.uk.
Sectors that are likely to be affected by the new regulations:
Consumption sectors
Northern Ireland Water (NIW) is responsible for supplying the public with clean drinkable water. To achieve this NIW uses 90% of all water abstracted in Northern Ireland.
As a result of the huge volumes of water involved, it will be subject to licences. The control measures required for the award of a licence will play an important factor in achieving, 'Good' environmental status for all water bodies in Northern Ireland.
Commercial and industrial
Industry can be heavily reliant on water for their processes. This is very important within the textiles industry, (e.g. scouring, dyeing and wet finishing processes) which uses significant volumes of water often abstracted from lake or rivers. Over half of these industrial andcommercial firms may need a licence under the new regulations.
Agriculture
There are over 27,000 farms in Northern Ireland. Dairy farms, of which there are over 4,000, can be users of abstracted water. As agriculture is highly dependent on the seasons, spray irrigation occurs in the summer months, to ensure optimum crop growth.
Plant nurseries
There are approximately 50 nurseries in Northern Ireland and many abstract water - the amount being determined by the size and operation of the nursery.
Food and drink
Manufacturing of food and drink products use a considerable amount of water, often abstracted groundwater, for both cleaning and as a part of the final product. Licences will help control and protect the groundwater sources.
Public bodies
Public bodies will also be affected by the new regulations. Hospitals, health trusts, schools and local council premises may need licences, or may need to notify the NIEA if they abstract smaller quantities of water.
Recreation facilities
There are 30 recreational facilities and approximately 150 golf clubs in Northern Ireland, many of which abstract water. They, too, may need an abstraction licence.
Other sectors
Fish farms and hatcheries
The majority of fish farms and hatcheries, in Northern Ireland, require over 100m3/d of (mainly) abstracted river water. These businesses too, may need an abstraction licence.
Hydro power
Renewable energy is becoming more popular as the government strives to reduce carbon emissions and becomes less reliant on fossil fuels.
There are currently 70 small hydroelectric sites in Northern Ireland with the majority using over 100m3/d of water. These schemes may possibly need licences.
Electricity companies
Northern Ireland Electricity's power plants are very reliant on the abstraction of water for cooling in the production process. Within Northern Ireland there are three power stations, which are located in Ballylumford, Kilroot and Coolkeeragh, each using large volumes of water that will require licensing.
Quarrying and mining
Many quarrying and mining in Northern Ireland use large amounts of abstracted water and may need a licence in many cases.
Other Industry
Other Northern Ireland industries that abstract over 10m3/d of surface, coastal or groundwater will be required to notify NIEA. Abstractions of over 20m3/d will need licences.
Contact usAbstractions & Impoundments Licensing Team Tel: 028 9263 3482 Email: AIL@doeni.gov.uk |
