Draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill
Consultation on Proposed Provisions
SECTION F: Proposals Relating to the Coal Authority
PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE FROM ABANDONED COAL MINES
F1. Once underground coal mines are closed and the pumps are switched off, surface and ground water will flood the mine. As the water level rebounds to its natural state, minerals in the coal workings that have oxidised in air may dissolve in solution. The water that results often becomes rich in iron - the telltale orange colour that has blighted many a river in Scotland's industrial belt. If left unchecked this water is likely to flow into watercourses and pollute them, but if treated may be used for potable, irrigation or industrial supply. There are currently over thirty discharges from abandoned coal mines in Scotland. There is also a threat from recovering water levels in some of our more recently closed collieries where discharges have not yet occurred but may do so unless preventative action is taken.
F2. Funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Coal Authority is tasked with carrying out work on such mines and, in consultation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), agrees a priority list of works based on environmental impact. Where appropriate, the Coal Authority needs to set up remediation equipment and other apparatus on land near the mine. However, it is hampered in achieving this in cases where it is unable to gain access to land in order to carry out investigative work, or where it cannot acquire land by agreement for its remediation works.
F3. At present SEPA has powers of access and compulsory purchase where necessary to carry out its functions, whereas the Coal Authority does not have any for its programmed abandoned mine operations that are to prevent pollution to the environment. The Water Bill for England and Wales includes provisions for the Coal Authority's operations to be given similar access and entry powers to those of the Environment Agency. In order that the Coal Authority's works in Scotland are not disadvantaged, we therefore propose to introduce similar statutory powers to:-
- Prevent or deal with water emanating from any coal mine onto or into any land or into the water environment,
- Enter land to drill boreholes and install monitoring or other equipment, in order to investigate and deal with discharges of water from coal mines that cause or are likely to cause serious pollution of the water environment or a danger to life or health; and
- Compulsorily purchase land in Scotland to prevent or mitigate the effect of a discharge of water from a coal mine into the water environment in cases where the discharge has, is or is likely to cause serious pollution of the water environment or serious harm to human health.
F4. Sections will be added to the Bill to give effect to the above before it is introduced in the Scottish Parliament.
Small changes in the way we perform everyday tasks can have huge impacts on Scotland's environment.
Walking short distances rather than using the car, or being careful not to overfill the kettle are just two positive steps we can all take.
This butterfly represents the beauty and fragility of Scotland's environment. The motif will be utilised extensively by the Scottish Executive and its partners in their efforts to persuade people they can do a little to change a lot.