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  • Borehole abstraction for testing and sampling more than 150m³ water per year

Borehole abstraction for testing and sampling more than 150m³ water per year

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This activity applies to the abstraction of groundwater, other than below the bed of coastal or transitional waters, from a borehole or boreholes and any subsequent discharge of the abstracted water, where the total volume of water abstracted is:

  1. more than 50 cubic metres (m³) per day but less than or equal to 500 cubic metres (m³) per day; and 
  2. more than 150 cubic metres (m³) per year but less than or equal to 5000 cubic metres (m³) per year,

and the purpose of the abstraction is to:

  1. test the yield of the borehole; or
  2. determine the hydraulic properties of the aquifer, or
  3. sample the water quality.

Authorisation level

Registration

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.  

Read more about Fit and Proper Person tests

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application of a new authorisation for this activity.

Read our charging information for further information on application and annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a registration that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.

Standard conditions

Your registration application will only be granted if you can confirm you are able to comply with the standard conditions set out below.

If you carry out an activity under a registration authorisation you must comply with the standard conditions. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

  1. The discharge of the abstracted water must not result in the introduction of substances or heat to the water environment that may cause harm to the water environment.

  2. The discharge must not have a significant impact on the water environment as a result of:

    1. iridescence or sheen;
    2. discolouration;
    3. deposition of solids; or
    4. increased foaming. 

  3. There must be a means of demonstrating the total volume of water abstracted daily and annually.

  4. The abstraction must be located 50 metres or more from any spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption that was in existence on the date of application for this authorisation.

How to apply

In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.

New applications

You can apply for a new registration for this activity using our digital application service.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

Step 3: Submit using our digital application service

You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.

Make an application for a new authorisation

You can apply to vary an existing registration for this activity. Please note, this is the same activity form as applying for a new registration or transferring an existing one.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

  • R-WAT-C5: Abstraction from a borehole greater than 150m³ per year for testing or samplin

Step 2: Submit your application for a variation

Make an application to vary an authorisation

You can apply to transfer an existing registration for this activity. Please note, this is the same activity form as applying for a new registration or varying an existing one.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

  • R-WAT-C5: Abstraction from a borehole greater than 150m³ per year for testing or sampling

Step 2: Submit your application

Read Transfer an existing authorisation to find out how to submit your application for a transfer.

To apply to surrender an existing registration that authorises this activity, read Surrender an existing authorisation

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