Here is how sustainable use of coal mine water can benefit 17.7 lakh people

New Delhi: Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Coal has significantly benefited 17.7 lakh people across 981 villages in nine states by sustainably utilizing coal mine water resources, the ministry of Coal said on Wednesday.

"In the fiscal year 2022-23, approximately 8,130 lakh cubic metre of mine water was discharged, with 46 percent allocated for community uses, 49 percent for internal needs, and 6 percent for groundwater recharge initiatives", the statement added.

As shown in the image above, various treatment methods have been implemented to ensure the suitability of mine water for drinking and irrigation.

In coal mining operations, a substantial amount of mine water accumulates in the mine sumps, serving as water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures.

This stored mine serves a range of community purposes which includes domestic supply, irrigation, groundwater replenishment, and industrial applications, contributing to community well-being throughout the year.

Water being filtered through Reverse Osmosis

Situated at Ningah Colliery in Paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal, a cutting-edge reverse osmosis (RO) filter plant, with a capacity of 5000 liters per hour, has been established.

This facility treats extracted mine water and supplies safe drinking water and water for household purposes to neighbouring villages and colonies.

Utilizing the RO technology, the plant effectively eliminates contaminants and impurities by pushing water through a semipermeable membrane, permitting only pure water molecules to pass through and obstructing larger particles, ions, and impurities.

This method ensures the production of high-quality purified water, catering to diverse community needs.

Purification of seepeage water

In the districts of Shahdol and Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh, underground seepage water from Damini, Khairaha, Rajendra, and Navgaon mines is directed into the Sarafa River.

Moreover, two filtration facilities, with a total capacity of 9 lakh litres, have been set up, providing advantages to more than 5000 residents in Khannath and Chirhiti villages nearby. Before being discharged, this water undergoes purification through sequential filtration at the Sarafa Dam. The treated water is utilized for agricultural needs in the vicinity of the mines.

"Coal CPSEs will remain committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices, leveraging mine water resources to improve the lives of communities and protect the environment", the statement concluded.

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