>The magnesian limestone and the
>underlying sand bed which overly the coal measures in East
>Durham form an excellent aquifer which is an important source of
>the public water supply for a fair part of Sunderland, much of
>East Durham, and all of Hartlepool. This aquifer caused many
[snip]
>> Since the closing of the coastal collieries the minewater has
>risen to such an extent that it is now well up the aquifer in
>the Horden, Blackhall and Seaham areas and as a result the
>groundwater used for public supply is threatened. The minewater
>is of extremely poor quality and is extremelly saline and
>ferruginous.
I think he said that in about 6 months the levels of the bottom
of the aquifer and the top of the mine water will coincide.
The mine water is so bad that current treatment technologies are
thought not to be capable of dealing with it.
The iron oxide isn't too much of a problem if it is covered by
water and stays in the mine but the salinity is the major one.
Politics are involved too.
However, your mail summed up most of the lecture very well.
Hazel.
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