Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 April 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 April 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What provisions are made by (a) his Department, (b) the Coal Authority and (c) the Environment Agency to monitor the incidence and effects of pollution from abandoned mines.

Answer: Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions are made by (a) his Department, (b) the Coal Authority and (c) the Environment Agency to monitor the incidence and effects of pollution from abandoned mines.[24804] Mr. Clappison: The responsibility for monitoring pollution from abandoned mines lies with the Environment Agency and, where appropriate, the Coal Authority or other owner or operator. The Coal Authority monitors pumping at 11 pumping stations., mainly in County Durham. It also measures underground water levels at a number of locations throughout the country. It has carried out pumping trials at more than one location. The Environment Agency has an extensive chemical and microbiological monitoring programme for the general assessment of the quality of surface waters in England and Wales. Some 60,000 samples are taken each year for chemical analysis. River stretches affected by minewater discharges will be identified and assessed within this programme, each stretch being sampled 12 times per annum. In parallel with the system for the monitoring of controlled waters, the routine sampling of major discharges takes place approximately four times a year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 24804; 275 c374W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Closures Coal Environment Agency Pollution Mining Monitoring Water Coal Authority