Landmark system could boost Lake District water quality

A potentially landmark innovation has been deployed at a mine in the Lake District in an attempt to boost water quality in the area.

The new two-tank system has been launched at Force Crag Mine in Keswick and it is hoped it can significantly reduce pollution in the local waterways connected to the mine.

One particular problem in the region, the Environment Agency has noted, is the existence of high levels of metal in the water, which derives from the time when the area was being mined heavily for lead and zinc among other materials.

It is said that 150 years of mining has taken its toll on the environment and chiefs at the organisation are hoping that the new 12-month pilot project will go some way in rectifying the issue.

"We hope that this project at Force Crag Mine leads the way for other sites to improve the quality of old mine water," commented director of Environment Agency North West Toby Willison.

Meanwhile, the body has today (May 20th 2011) pledged to take measures to boost the number of crayfish seen in UK waters, as the specimens are in danger of extinction.

Posted by Claire Manning