Amendments to groundwater permitting are scheduled with The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendement) (England) Regulations 2023 on 2 October this year which amend the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
It will have a number of impacts such as modifying some exempted groundwater activities which include closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems which should simplify their installation.
Whilst further permits that may be granted include the injection of any substance into groundwater to increase the flow of fluids or gas to a well in connection with the extraction or use of any source of energy, which could be the prelude to recommencing fracking.
For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/groundwater-and-surface-water-discharge-activities/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response
