Nenthead mine water treatment scheme
Information and updates on the proposed Nenthead mine water treatment scheme in Cumbria, England.
The River Nent is the second most metal polluted river in England.
This pollution by cadmium, lead and zinc comes from several different sources and the effects on water and sediment quality, and aquatic life can be seen for 60km along the River Nent, River South Tyne and into the Tyne Estuary.
Two of the most significant sources of pollution are the Caplecleugh Level and Rampgill Level, which are tunnels or “adits” that were built by miners in the 18th Century to drain water out of the mines.
The Environment Agency and Coal Authority are proposing to build a treatment scheme to remove the metals from the mine waters before they get into the river, improving the environment for people and wildlife.
Following discussions with the public and other stakeholders, proposals are being developed for a treatment scheme to be built on the former Nenthead mine site adjacent to the Handsome Mea reservoir.
The proposal is to capture the mine water at the Caplecleugh and Rampgill Level portals near the Nenthead mines car park and pump it up to the treatment ponds in an underground pipeline.
Once the metals have been removed, the water will be returned to the River Nent.
View past updates relating to the Nenthead mine water treatment scheme
Read more about the work of the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines programme
Maps
Maps and drawings relating to the proposed Caplecleugh mine water treatment scheme.
Reports
Updates to this page
Published 21 February 2020Last updated 20 September 2022 + show all updates
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Updated to provide link to scheme specific website.
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minor edit
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Updated with latest project information and timeline
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First published.