The mine water treatment scheme, situated 1km south of Seaham in County Durham, treats mine water that has built up since the pumping of mine water stopped after the closure of the local collieries. Each year it treats over 2 billion litres of mine water.
Due to its location near to the coast and the high saline content of the mine water, the scheme uses 2 short sea outfall pipes to take treated water from Dawdon to the North Sea where it safely disperses into the seawater.
As part of work to maintain the flow of water leaving the site a team of specialist divers spent several weeks in June working underwater in the North Sea, running the operation from a barge situated near the location of the short sea outfall.
Pete Bingham, project manager at the Coal Authority said:
Our scheme protects a vital underground source of drinking water that Northumbrian Water uses to supply to around 30,000 people in the region, ensuring that the drinking water cannot be contaminated by the stored mine water.
Together with our partners, we are committed to protecting the public and the environment from the effects of the UK's mining legacy, which has deep roots in the north east of England. These routine works are clear and visible evidence of this commitment.
Antony Ballantyne of Southbay Civil Engineering said:
We are delighted to have been involved in a project that will help to protect vital public infrastructure. Our specialist experience in this field allowed us to ensure the project was delivered safely and with minimal disruption to the Dawdon mine water treatment scheme.
Ahead of the works, the barge made a 3 day journey from the River Thames to the Port of Sunderland, where it was loaded with the required plant, equipment and materials. It was then towed to the site of the works at Dawdon, where it remained for the duration of the project.
The whole project was managed by Southbay Civil Engineering on behalf of the Coal Authority. Due to the tidal environment that the barge and divers faced during the project, Southbay were instrumental in the design and planning of the works due to their marine civil engineering expertise.
