16th Feb 2015 11:46
LONDON (Alliance News) - The UK Coal Authority has awarded Severn Trent Services, part of Severn Trent PLC, one of two new multi-million pound awards to protect the UK's environment from polluted water from dis-used coal and metal mines.
The Coal Authority manages the effects of past coal mining, including subsidence damage claims which are not the responsibility of licensed coal mine operators. It also deals with mine water pollution and other mining legacy issues.
On Monday, the Authority said Severn Trent Services had been awarded a 10-year contract worth a minimum of GBP25 million, with a "likely overall contract spend in excess of GBP50 million". Severn Trent will maintain and operate the Coal Authority's 82 mine water treatment schemes, pumping stations and mine gas facilities in Britain.
Severn Trent Services provides water and waste water treatment products and operating services to businesses around the world.
The other contract was awarded to civil engineering company JN Bentley, which won a four-year framework agreement valued at between GBP2.5 million and GBP4 million. JN Bentley will design and construct new mine water treatment schemes, said the Coal Authority, working alongside both itself and Severn Trent.
"The three organisations will be working together using a new partnership approach, which will focus on continuous improvement through the design of innovative and sustainable solutions. Partnership working will take place from concept through to the construction and operation of each mine water treatment scheme," said the Coal Authority in a statement.
The Coal Authority's existing schemes currently prevent over 4,000 tonnes of iron solids from entering Britain's waters every year and protect a number of the nation's drinking water aquifers from pollution from rising mine waters.
"The procurement process has been extremely competitive, and we received many high-quality proposals. We are delighted to announce that we will be combining our expertise with that of Severn Trent Services and JN Bentley to continue to resolve the impacts of mining on the environment," said Simon Reed, chief operating officer of the Coal Authority.
"Our programmes for addressing water pollution from both coal and metal mines will be enhanced as we work together to deliver innovation and schemes with strong economic and environmental benefits," he added.
A statement regarding the new contract has not been released by Severn Trent.
Severn Trent shares were down 0.6% to 2,007.00 pence per share on Monday morning.
By Joshua Warner; [email protected]; @JoshAlliance
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