In a significant environmental initiative, Kier has been contracted by the Coal Authority to develop a water treatment facility at a former mining site in Yorkshire, leveraging sustainable technologies.
- The project will entail a two-stage process, beginning with design and enabling works, and culminating in construction.
- This development is aimed at addressing the challenge of rising mine water, a pressing issue due to the flooding of disused coal mines.
- Kier’s design includes an innovative pumped-passive treatment system, featuring settlement ponds and reed beds.
- The initiative also promises ecological enhancements, with plans to plant trees, bushes, and wildflowers once construction is complete.
The Coal Authority has engaged Kier to spearhead the design and construction of a water treatment facility at Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, a move that marks a proactive step towards managing mine water challenges. This project is part of a broader strategy to control the environmental risks associated with rising water in old coal mining areas.
The project initiation includes a two-stage process, commencing with the design and enabling works, followed by construction. This initiative is facilitated through Pagabo’s public sector procurement framework, which supports the Coal Authority’s overarching goals.
Kier is tasked with implementing a pumped-passive water treatment scheme on a 5-hectare site adjacent to the former colliery. The technical design integrates settlement ponds and reed beds connected through pipework, ensuring the detoxification of mine water before its release into the natural watercourse.
This sophisticated system involves an aeration cascade and settlement ponds integrated with reed beds to filter and purify the mine water effectively. After treatment, the water will then be safely discharged into local water bodies, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Upon completion of the construction phase, the project will transition to ecological progression. Trees, bushes, and wildflowers will be planted, enhancing the local habitat and fostering biodiversity. Furthermore, newly established access tracks around the reed beds will link with existing footpaths, encouraging public interaction with the natural environment.
The initiative highlights the collaboration between Kier and the Coal Authority, focusing on long-term habitat creation and environmental management. Eddie Quinn, Kier’s Managing Director for Natural Resources, expressed the company’s commitment to innovative engineering solutions that support sustainable development in the region.
James Bagnall, the Coal Authority’s lead for the coal programme, emphasised the importance of the scheme in managing rising mine water levels since the 1980s. This project aligns with the authority’s mission to safeguard drinking water and the local ecosystem from potential contamination hazards.
This water treatment project exemplifies a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable land management in former mining areas.
