Help for Water Rights Trading Data (England)

This information has been provided to help people who want to trade access to water either by being a donor or receiving. Trades require prior approval by the Environment Agency to protect the environment and the rights of other lawful water users. Other factors that affect viability of a trade include how the sites are connected by natural water systems such as rivers or groundwater. In providing this information, the Environment Agency does not guarantee that a trade will be approved. Our assessment makes no suggestion as to whether or not a licence holder is willing to agree to a trade. Any assessment of the quantity of water abstracted under licences does not include records of water abstracted since 31 December 2024. Information on certain licences has been excluded to protect national security and those that are not required to submit returns to the Environment Agency, including those that abstract less than 100 m3/d. Unless agreed in writing with the Environment Agency you must comply with the conditions of your abstraction licence. Care should be taken when interpreting those cases where a licence authorises abstraction for multiple purposes and/or from multiple points. The maximum quantities concern the licence in its entirety. Please note: licences which are part of the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction initiative are included in the map for reference purposes. However, they will not be suitable for actual trading activities. Licence information is up to date as of 1st January 2025. Further information on water rights trading can be found at Trade water abstraction rights - GOV.UK (http://www.gov.uk). Please contact water_abstractiondigital@environment-agency.gov.uk with any queries.