Australian Water Management Review Vol. 1 2014 | Page 158

Water Quality Monitoring for
a Land Reclamation Scheme
The Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation Scheme,
in South Wales (UK) is a major opencast
coaling operation which when complete
will result in the reclamation of 367
hectares of derelict land. The reclamation
work is being undertaken by Miller Argent
(UK), and is designed to progressively
restore the land to its former use,
recreate certain habitats and to ensure the
surrounding land comes to no harm.
One aspect of Miller Argent’s commitment to
protecting and enhancing the environment has been
the attention it is giving to the treatment and disposal
of water from the site. To date six of eight large
water treatment areas have been constructed, with
the treatment areas containing settlement lagoons
complete with water treatment plants equipped with
on-line suspended solids, pH, temperature and
storm overflow monitoring systems from Partech
Instruments. Separating the solids and fine particles
from water takes place in the settlement lakes prior
to discharge. To ensure consent levels are met a

152 | Australian water man age m e nt re v ie w

polymer flocculation plant using a non-ionic floc
is used to assist in the settlement of solids. The
installed Partech Turbi-Tech 2000LS Sensor monitors
Turbidity in the discharge and can also be configured
to monitor Suspended Solids giving indications of
process problems that could cause solids to leave the
site and enter the watercourse. Plant operators use
this information to make adjustments to the control
system to prevent pollution and make efficiency