Abstraction of water for irrigation (GAEC 2)

Date published: 2 February, 2016

To see recent changes to this guidance, see the bottom of this page.

The aim of these rules is to protect water resources by licensing abstraction of water for irrigation.

You must:

1. comply with the authorisation procedures for abstracting water for irrigation. The procedures differ depending on the quantity of water involved:
- if you abstract less than (<) 10 cubic metres of water each day you have to follow General Binding Rule 2 (GBR 2). Complying with GBR 2 means there is no requirement to contact the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to register or apply for a licence

GBR 2 rules

You must be able to demonstrate that the abstraction is always less than 10 cubic metres in any one day (e.g. by measuring the rate of abstraction) or a means of demonstrating that the maximum volume that could be abstracted cannot exceed (>) 10 cubic metres in any one day.

Water leakage must be kept to a minimum by ensuring that all pipework, storage tanks and other equipment associated with the abstraction and the use of the water are maintained in a state of good repair.

- if you abstract >10 and <50 cubic metres of water each day you have to be registered with SEPA

- if you abstract >50 and <2000 cubic metres of water each day you have to obtain a Simple Licence from SEPA

- if you abstract >2000 cubic metres of water each day you have to obtain a Complex Licence from SEPA

2. comply with all the conditions of a water abstraction licence. Some of the conditions relate to:

  • abstraction site
  • abstraction periods
  • maximum daily abstraction volumes
  • you must submit an annual data return even if you don’t abstract any water

Abstracting water for irrigation is covered by the Controlled Activity (CAR) Regulations. For further information, contact SEPA or visit their website by using the following links.

SEPA customer services enquiries - 03000 99 66 99

CAR abstraction rules (section 4 of 'CAR - A Pratical Guide PDF)

Information on submitting annual data returns

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Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs)