This study aimed to identify the water quality benefits of remediating two coal mine discharges, one in Scotland and one in Northern England. For each site, the assessment followed the updated coal methodology (RPA, 2015). The first stage involved the development of assumptions for the assessment, setting out key points such as the length of waterbody affected, the likely extent of the improvement in water quality, and whether this improvement would be sufficient to result in a status change under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

This work for the Coal Authority involved assessing the benefits of remediating three former mining areas. All three sites (two in Scotland, one in England) had previously been used for metal mining. This meant that the mine water discharges, along with any runoff from nearby spoil heaps, had high concentrations of metals such as zinc, lead and cadmium. This metal rich water was affecting water quality and the classification of waterbodies under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

This study covered the review, further development and trial of the assessment methodology used to identify the benefits of mine water treatment schemes.

This study involved looking at 10 potential minewater discharges which were affecting waterbody status under the WFD and assessing the likely benefits of treatment.

RPA was commissioned by the Coal Authority (UK) to prepare benefit assessments for six potential minewater treatment schemes in Wales (four) and Scotland (two).

This study involved valuing the benefits associated with improved water quality, recreation and biodiversity as well as non-use benefits (such as aesthetics) resulting from the clean up of minewater discharges.