Aspull Sough Minewater Treatment Scheme

The Aspull area of Wigan has a long history of mining, which dates back to the 1700’s, leaving a legacy of old mineshafts, water drainage tunnels (soughs) and abandoned mine workings.

One such ‘sough’ in Haigh Country Park for many years has discharged iron rich minewater into the Yellow Brook causing significant deterioration in the aquatic fauna and flora smothering the brook and River Douglas some 460m downstream with ochre deposits.

The Authority acquired part of the former Alexandra opencast site for a passive treatment scheme with a ‘window of opportunity’ existing to share access to the site with a new build school development.

Ascot Environmental Ltd commenced work on the £0.75M project to construct a pumping station, twin pipelines, 3 settlement lagoons, 3 reedbeds and extensive landscaping in November 2003. The scheme being completed in Summer 2004 provides the benefits of:-

• Improving the water quality in the Yellow Brook and River Douglas, as a result, removing the visual impact of the discolouration within the Haigh Country Park.
• Reducing the impact on wildlife by allowing invertebrate / fauna to thrive, allowing fish to populate the brook once more.
• Improving the public amenity of the area by removing unsightly iron ochre deposits.

The project included the careful translocation of rare Marsh Orchids to specially prepared landscaped areas. The completed treatment scheme with developing wildlife habitat, public access, information boards, will form a valuable local amenity and school learning experience for the Aspull community whilst enhancing the wider Country Park.