The EA (Environment Agency) launched the WRLS (Water Resources Licensing Service) in 2018 to enable water abstraction licence holders to manage their licences online. You can use it to view your licence, delegate access to your account and submit information about how much water you have taken.
Since April 2022, some licence holders have begun receiving email alerts via the service. These alerts are designed to provide quicker, targeted warnings of approaching licence restrictions (sometimes known as ‘hands-off’ conditions).
How the system works
The email alerts inform licence holders and operators when restrictions have taken effect. They are also used by the EA to advise when abstraction can resume following recovery of river flows or groundwater levels. The system is similar to the EA’s targeted flood warning service, but considers water management during periods of dry weather.
These alerts help improve access to water when it is there, and better protect the environment when it is not. It is one of the ways the EA is supporting abstractors to adapt to climate change. Industry data has shown a potential benefit of £13.7m per year to the economy and society by improving access to water resources.
When will I be contacted?
You will already have heard from your local EA team if you’re due to receive access to the new email alert system this summer. If you haven’t heard yet, please be patient. The EA needs to ensure the transition from the existing approach to email alerts is seamless, so the local team will contact you when it has completed the necessary preparatory work.
You can read more about the new system at the Defra digital, data and technology blog.