The Environment Agency has launched a public consultation on a significant water management proposal in Hertfordshire. Construction firm J. Murphy & Sons Limited has applied for a statutory transfer licence to support major works at the Waltham Cross National Grid Substation.
Details of the Dewatering Proposal
The application, referenced NPS/WR/045744, seeks permission for a temporary but large-scale operation. The core of the plan involves construction dewatering – pumping groundwater to enable safe excavation and building work at the substation site, located near postcode EN9 2EE.
Critically, the proposed licence is for a transfer only. This means the abstracted water would not be used for any other purpose. Instead, it would be moved directly from the source and discharged back into the local watercourse system. The water would be taken from the alluvium at the substation site (National Grid Reference TL 37379 03765) and transferred to two discharge points:
- The River Lea
- The River Lea Flood Relief Channel (NGR TL 37783 03653)
Scale and Timeline of the Planned Works
The volumes outlined in the application are substantial. J. Murphy & Sons is requesting permission to transfer water at the following rates:
- 12.88 cubic metres per hour
- 103 cubic metres per day
- 37,595 cubic metres per year
The transfer activities are proposed to run for a five-year period, with an anticipated end date in December 2030. The agency has emphasised that all abstracted water would be returned to the River Lea system, ensuring no net loss from the environment under this specific licence.
How to Have Your Say
This statutory notice triggers a formal public consultation period. Local residents, organisations, and interested parties can submit written representations about the application.
Comments must quote the applicant name and reference NPS/WR/045744. They can be sent by post to the Environment Agency Permitting and Support Centre, Water Resources Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF. Alternatively, they can be emailed to PSC-WaterResources@environmentagency.gov.uk.
For advice on making a representation, you can call 03708 506 506. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, 29 January 2026. The notice was published both online via the Public Notice Portal and in print by the Hertfordshire Mercury.
This consultation represents a key step in regulating major infrastructure projects, ensuring water resources are managed responsibly during construction phases that impact groundwater levels.
