Groundwater abstraction – what do you need to know?

Groundwater can be a valuable source of water for agricultural businesses, helping to support livestock, irrigation and other farm operations.

Before investing in drilling a borehole and associated groundwater abstraction, it is important to engage with SEPA at an early stage as an authorisation is needed to construct and operate a borehole under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. The depth, abstraction volume and any test pumping needs will determine the type of authorisation needed, ranging from General Binding Rules (GBR) for small scale activities to a full permit for larger ones. Timescales and fees also vary with the size and risk an application presents, with GBR level abstractions being free with no application needed through registrations, which take up to 28 days to process and cost £198.55. The largest abstractions need a permit, which can take up to 4 months to assess and currently costs £913.33 (fees quoted will change in April 2027).

Each application is assessed to ensure that the proposed construction location or abstraction will not cause unacceptable impacts on groundwater resources, nearby watercourses, wetlands, private water supplies, or the wider environment. Where constraints exist, we will work with applicants to help them gain authorisation, however, an authorisation may need to include additional monitoring conditions or be restricted to make it acceptable.

Where there isn’t an existing authorised borehole the authorisation process usually takes two stages, each of which may need a separate authorisation.

Stage 1:

Construction and test pumping (separate authorisations), this is important as it gives a good indication of how productive the well might be and provides information to support the second stage. Please note an existing but unused borehole that is not authorised with SEPA, requires to be authorised at registration level if a registration or permit level abstraction is proposed, the registration covers ongoing operation including decommissioning,

Stage 2:

Application for a permanent abstraction from the well. SEPA will assess the impact of the abstraction and set the limit on how much water can be drawn from the well. This stage is usually all that is required for an existing borehole, though test pumping may be required (it depends on the volume and proximity of the borehole to any sensitive receptors). A key part of any permit level application is the Water Feature survey this identifies sensitive receptors that might be impacted by the abstraction such as private water supplies or nearby rivers and streams, more detail on this can be found in appendix 4 of the guidance document WAT-G-040.

When assessing an application, SEPA will consider a range of factors, including:

• The location of the borehole construction
• The quantity of water proposed to be abstracted.
• Local groundwater availability.
• Potential impacts on rivers, lochs, wetlands and other protected habitats.
• Effects on neighbouring abstractions and private water supplies.
• The cumulative impact of existing abstractions in the area.

In some locations, groundwater resources may already be under pressure, and further abstraction could affect the health of the water environment. Additional information or hydrogeological assessment may be required to support an application. Early discussions with SEPA via waterpermittng@sepa.org.uk  can help identify any environmental or regulatory issues before significant investments are made. This can save time, reduce costs and avoid disappointment later in the process.

Further information on groundwater abstractions, EASR authorisations and application guidance can be found on the following SEPA websites:

Registration level activities (borehole construction, registration abstraction and test pumping)

Construction and operation of a borehole up to 200m deep EASR-SC-048 | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Abstraction from inland waters from 10m³ to 50m³ per day EASR-SC-043 | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Borehole abstraction for testing and sampling more than 150m³ water per year EASR-SC-045 | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Permit level abstraction

Abstraction of inland water for all non-hydro power of 50m³ or more per day | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Groundwater abstraction guidance

Abstraction of inland water for all non-hydro power of 50m³ or more per day | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency

wat-g-076_pumping_test_information_to_support_permit_application.docx

By seeking advice early and understanding local environmental constraints, farmers can make informed decisions, reduce the risk of unexpected delays or potential show stopping issues, and improve the likelihood of developing a sustainable and compliant water supply.