Water data returns
Abstraction permit data returns
Most abstraction permits require the operator to submit data returns and further information can be found in your abstraction permit.
Generally, the deadlines for submitting data returns are shown below but there are exceptions so please refer to your permit to confirm the deadline. Failure to return the data by your deadline will affect your permit compliance.
- Agricultural Irrigation Abstraction Returns - 31 December
- Others/Non Agricultural Irrigation Abstraction Returns - 31 January
Your data shows the water that you have abstracted (on a daily basis) over the past year. This information is used by us in two ways. It shows whether permit conditions have been met and allows an assessment of the effect of abstractions on the water environment to be carried out.
Even if no water has been abstracted for any period, this information must still be reported to us, a nil return.
This enables better decision making about the availability of water resources in Scotland. You should submit your data using this electronic form (xls 48kB).
Sewage treatment, overflows and sewer networks data returns
Permits for discharges from only the larger sewage treatment works (STW), from some overflows and sewer networks require the operator to submit annual data returns, normally by 31 January.
Monitoring at STWs, at overflows and on the sewer network consists of two types:
- Measurement of flows.
- Recording of storm overflow events.
The recording and reporting of flows and overflow events provides an important source of information for SEPA.
Further information on the details that require to be submitted can be found in your permit. Flow data returns should be provided by email in Excel format to us using the online contact link below. Template data returns forms are available below:
- Annex 1 - Flow data return (xls 12kB)
- Annex 2 - Reason for Exceedance (xls 12kB)
- Annex 3 - Overflow event data returns (xls 11kB)
Contact
If you have any questions regarding any aspect of compliance with your permit conditions, please contact us.
If you have questions regarding completing a data return, please contact the data returns team.