With the dry conditions set to continue into next week, DAERA has urged caution around water usage.

It has also set out the legal situation around the abstraction of water from a lake or river.

Under the current legislation, a farmer is automatically permitted to remove up to 10,000 litres per day. If this is to be taken from a waterway or lake, then a still well should be installed, to prevent any negative impact on animal life or fish.

Advice on how to do this can be provided by the NI Environment Agency (NIEA).

If a farm requires between 10,000 and 20,000 litres, then NIEA should be notified about where the abstraction point is to be.

If a business requires more than 20,000 litres (4,400 gallons) per day, then a full licence is required. The application fee for this type of full authorisation is £157.

For further assistance contact Peter Close from the NIEA water resources team on 028 92 633462 or via email to AIL@daera-ni.gov.uk.