Focus on minewater discharges

Further wetland schemes to improve the quality of minewater discharges from former mineworkings are planned throughout the coalfield areas.

The Coal Authority has welcomed the announcement of the Environment Agency list of more serious minewater discharges from abandoned coal mines, and is working in partnership with interested bodies to establish the next priorities.

Work is planned to start on schemes at selected priority sites, Scotland, England and Wales this year, where negotiations are currently taking place to acquire the necessary land.

Continuing to develop understanding of the environmental effects and treatment of minewater is one of eight objectives set by the Authority Code of Environmental Practice. Specific targets have been set for the year ending March 1998.

The first wetland scheme commissioned by the Coal Authority at Woolley has attracted widespread interest from external organisations including the Environment Agency and Durham County Council.

Keith Parker, the Authority Properly and Environment Manager and Environment Group member, highlighted the benefits of this natural method of treating contaminated water at the Environment Agency recent conference on 'Abandoned Mines, Problems and Solutions.'

Believed to be the largest wetland scheme for the treatment of water from coal mine workings anywhere in Britain, and probably in Europe, the reedbeds have been hailed as a major success in treating discharges from abandoned mineworkings.

"In addition to being environmentally acceptable, the man-made wetlands are a cost effective way of improving the quality of minewater which has become contaminated with iron during its passage through underground workings," says Albert Schofield, Director of Contracts and Environment Group member.

After careful monitoring, tests show that the iron content of the water discharged into the water course at Woolley has been dramatically reduced and is below the required levels.

Wildlife has returned to the River Dearne at Woolley as a result of the purifying qualities of the reed beds. The scheme is expected to reach an optimum level of efficiency this summer

The Coal Authority is working closely with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities and other external agencies to introduce a phased programme of treatment schemes at the next priority sites.