Hafren Water is a water management agency that specialises in all aspects of water in relation to the minerals industry. We have unrivalled experience, having undertaken assessments at more than 200 sites throughout the UK in a wide range of environments. Our work is always highly pragmatic and appropriate to the application. The highest levels of technical input are not always necessary but are employed where needed. Hafren Water will identify the level of input required and if less ‘theoretical’ assessment methods are more appropriate in a particular situation, we would use that approach.
We routinely provide inputs to EIAs and ROMP assessments, obtain regulatory compliances, liaise with regulatory authorities, prepare monitoring reports, sample water and undertake monitoring, design surface water management schemes and advise on water supply, amongst others. We also undertake Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) to support planning applications.
Tunstead Quarry supplies the works with limestone for cement production as well as providing aggregate for the regional market. A Review of Mineral Planning (ROMP) necessitated the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), of which water issues were an important component.
Water issues are often overlooked and frequently managed on an ad hoc basis in the minerals industry. This can result in inefficiencies and missed opportunities, with resultant implications for costs and potentially regulatory issues. A more strategic consideration of water issues is advocated, whereby the implications of water management throughout the whole lifecycle of a quarry are considered. This allows difficulties and opportunities to be identified in a timely manner. Water audits undertaken by Hafren Water are a highly effective means of identifying where these risks and opportunities exist.
The removal of exemptions from the licensing regime of quarry dewatering will potentially be problematic to the industry. Whereas it has always been intended that this process will be 'light touch', situations will arise where difficulties in being able to remove water from quarry workings may be problematic.
The restoration of mineral workings provides great potential to create specific habitats which can enhance ecological value. Water features are frequently key components of such schemes. Hafren Water has been involved with the optimisation of the potential benefits of water in restorations at numerous sites throughout the UK. This frequently involves predicting future water levels and designing water management schemes to ensure that optimal water conditions exist for target species or habitats. We have provided hydrological input to large reed bed creation schemes at former sand and gravel sites, advised on final water levels and devised long-term water management plans at numerous restored quarry sites.
