Abstractions from non-tidal surface water and groundwater
The consumption of water abstracted from non-tidal surface and groundwater in England and Wales has fallen from an estimated 41.2 thousand megalitres/day in 2000 to 33.6 thousand megalitres/day in 2009. A megalitre is one million litres.
Why is this important – Water is a vital resource that needs to be managed carefully to ensure that people have access to affordable and safe drinking water and sanitation, and that industry needs are met, without depleting water resources or damaging ecosystems.
Abstractions from non-tidal surface water and groundwater by use: England and Wales, 2000-2009
- Of 33.6 billion litres per day abstracted from non-tidal surfacewater and groundwater in 2008, 47 per cent was for the public water supply and 34 per cent for the electricity supply industry. The electricity supply industry also consumed an estimated 18.7 billion litres per day of tidal water.
The key facts publication contains a downloadable version of this page
Next scheduled update November 2012
Government policy on abstraction licensing
EU Water Framework Directive
River quality Scotland and Northern Ireland
Additional data and information on river quality.
Note on additional water abstraction datasets: Estimates of average abstraction per day in megalitres (million litres) per day is presented for non tidal waters (groundwater and non tidal surface waters) and tidal waters, and by the following purpose categories:
- Public water supply
- Spray irrigation (agricultural and non agricultural)
- Agriculture (excl. spray irrigation)
- Electricity supply industry
- Other industry
- Fish farming, cress growing, amenity ponds
- Private water supply
- Other
The Environment Agency data is for England & Wales and by Environment Agency region. The boundaries used are based on river catchments.
Abstraction licences in force and new licences determined, England and Wales (1999-2010)
Number of abstraction licences in force by purpose, England and Wales (2009-10)
Estimates abstractions by purpose, England and Wales (2000-2009) from: