Construction firm Kier has scooped a contract to design and build a water treatment scheme for the Coal Authority.

The Group's Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks business division will undertake the stage one design and enabling works leading into the construction for stage two for the scheme at Thorpe Hesley in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

This is part of the Coal Authority's approach to managing the risk of rising mine water in old underground coal workings. As part of these plans, Kier will design and build a pumped-passive mine water treatment scheme that will be made up of settlement ponds, reed beds and associated pipework on a five-hectare site on land adjacent to the former colliery site. The mine water will be treated through an aeration cascade and a system of settlement ponds and reed beds and then the treated water will be discharged into the watercourse.

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The design phase started in August 2024 and, once the construction phase is completed, new trees and bushes will be planted as well as wildflowers to provide new habitats, improve biodiversity and increase wildlife in the area. Access tracks around the reed beds will allow people to enjoy the natural atmosphere of the scheme and link the scheme with existing footpaths.