English Coal Mining History at the NCMME
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Settling ponds at the water treatment plant
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Water still has to be pumped from below the mine workings to allow access to the Museum workings. This water is discharged into settling ponds at Hope Pit, the adjacent colliery on the Museum site. The water is contaminated with natural chemicals which are leached out from underground, and these must be treated before the water can be released into local streams and rivers.
Until recently this water was treated with lime, but a new minewater treatment system has recently been built, with funding through the European Union 'Life' programme. This provides for the water to be filtered naturally through reed beds, but also has allowed a monitoring system to be established for minewater levels and conditions in the old mine systems in the region. This work is intended to contribute to the development of European best practice.
Until recently this water was treated with lime, but a new minewater treatment system has recently been built, with funding through the European Union 'Life' programme. This provides for the water to be filtered naturally through reed beds, but also has allowed a monitoring system to be established for minewater levels and conditions in the old mine systems in the region. This work is intended to contribute to the development of European best practice.