Abandoned Mine Drainage and Water Supply

Andy McAllisterRegional Coordinator

Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

andy@wpcamr.org

What is AMD?

• Abandoned vs. “Acid”• Pre- 1977• Bituminous region and Anthracite region

Extent of the problem

• PA has the most abandoned mine problems of any state.

• Affects surface waters from abandoned discharges.• Mine pools below the surface. Some may be

reasonable quality.• Contamination from runoff from surface

disturbances as well

Main constituents of concern in AMD affecting water supplies in Eastern Coalfields

• Fe• Al• Mn• Acidity• Sulfates

Treatment options for surface discharges

• Hard to pigeonhole treatment technology. Every discharge different.

• Passive vs Active treatment– Cost– Ownership of systems– Available land– Operations/Maintenance

Can we treat the discharges that enter surface waters?

• Fe, relatively easy, – aeration, settling

• Mn, more difficult, high pH required• Al, relatively easy, increase pH• Acidity, relatively easy, using limestone, chitin• Sulfate– Bioreactors, don’t remove all.– RO, can be done but very expensive.

Water wells and Mine pools

• Some water wells in coalfields are tapping into abandoned mine pools.

• Some Mine pools may be relatively good quality.

• Changes in pool level can initiate problems—can expose a new reactive area in mine.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

• Provides for states to use part of their annual grant toward providing water supplies to areas affected by past mining activities.

Questions?

Thank you!