Environment Agency
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The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 were implemented on 2 October 2023.
We are reviewing the Environment Agencys approach to groundwater protection and updating it where applicable. We will hold an appropriate consultation on any changes to the guidance before we republish it.
These position statements describe the Environment Agencys approach to managing and protecting groundwater. They update Groundwater protection: principles and practice (GP3).
This document helps anyone whose current or proposed activities have an impact on, or are affected by groundwater such as:
- developers
- planners
- environmental permit applicants and holders
- water abstractors
Many of the approaches set out in the position statements are not statutory but may be included in, or referenced by, statutory guidance and legislation.
Environment Agency staff use these position statements as a framework to make decisions on activities that could impact on groundwater. This clear approach aims to remove uncertainty and potentially inconsistent decision-making.