Act now and save on your water charges

14th January 2009

Holders of abstraction licences who know in advance that they will not be abstracting in any one year are being reminded by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) that it will not charge annual subsistence for that year.

David Harley of SEPA said, "This is good news for abstraction licence holders and particularly for farmers who have decided not to grow certain crops that may require irrigation in a particular year."

The reminder is issued days after SEPA published its 10 point action plan to support economic activity during the current difficulties. A key aspect of this plan is the waiving of licence application fees over the remainder of 2008/9, with immediate effect, to help stimulate economic development.

A reduction in annual subsistence charges is also available to those whose licences cover multiple abstraction locations and who are planning not to abstract water at some of those locations, causing a reduction in the overall volume of water abstracted.

Licence holders should notify the environmental watchdog before the end of February 2009.

For further information and to apply for your exemption, please visit www.sepa.org.uk/water.