A team of divers have completed work to offshore pipes at the
Dawdon mine water treatment scheme as part of a major marine
civil engineering project.
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.
