How to apply for a water authorisation
In Scotland there are two types of water authorisations you can apply for:
- Registration
- Licence
To determine if you need a licence you should refer to the CAR Practical Guide: car_a_practical_guide.pdf (sepa.org.uk) .
Once you have determined what level of authorisation you think you need, you can contact your environmental regulator for further information if required.
- Contacting SEPA: Contact SEPA
- Pre-application enquiries can be sent to waterpermitting@sepa.org.uk
In Northern Ireland the discharge of trade or sewage waste to any waterway, or any water contained underground requires the consent of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This includes waste from any commercial, industrial or domestic premises not connected to the public sewer.
Further information on consents can be found here: Discharges | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).
Abstraction and impoundment of water may require a licence. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency monitors and controls abstraction and impoundment of water in Northern Ireland through the licensing Regulations.
Further information on licences can be found here: Applying to abstract or impound water | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).
Provide the correct information
You should apply to your environmental regulator using the official, most up to date, application form and provide all required information. Providing accurate and relevant information will help speed up the process of assessing your application and will cut down on unnecessary delays waiting for additional information.
In Scotland guidance on specific activities can be found on the SEPA website:
- Water discharge guidance can be found here: Pollution control - guidance | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Water abstraction & impoundment guidance can be found here: Impoundment guidance | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Abstractions | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- River engineering guidance can be found here: Engineering guidance | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Hydropower guidance can be found here: Hydropower | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Guidance on specific activities In Northern Ireland can be found on the DAERA website:
- Water abstraction & Impoundment guidance: Applying to abstract or impound water | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).
- Regulating Sewage Discharges Regulating sewage discharges | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
- Regulating Water Discharges Regulating water discharges | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)