Research on the use of minesoils for domestic wastewater renovation has been conducted by Ray Reneau and Charles Hagedorn, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, since 1990 in close cooperation with Virginia Department of Health. The research seeks to identify solutions to wastewater disposal problems that are present in Virginia's coalfield region. Development of mined lands for residential use is impractical in areas not serviced by public sewers because most reclaimed-mine soils are not suitable for conventional septic drainfields. Many communities lack adequate means for disposal of household sewage.

An initial installation consisted of three prototype systems on a reclaimed mine site: a low-pressure distribution system installed in topsoil fill;

• an artificial "wetland" system that utilizes plants and microbial activity in a gravel substrate to renovate wastewaters
• a low-pressure distribution system in topsoil fill that was transported to the site; and
• a spray irrigation system that would be suitable for isolated areas.

The researchers also installed a media filter system at the Powell River Project Education Center. This installation was completed in 1998, and began operation in spring, 1999. Media filters have the potential to solve wastewater disposal problems on mined lands and in small communities. A media filter installation for a single home would be more costly than a conventional septic-tank-and-drainfield system,but such a system could be expected to renovate wastewaters effectively  where conventional systems may not be suitable. Media filter systems can also be adapted to treat the effluent from several homes using a single system, which would decrease per-household cost. A media filter system installed by Drs. Reneau and Hagedorn at a Virginia Tech research farm is also described on the researcher's web site, by linking to "recirculating media filter."

In 2002, the researchers initiated a field trial on a Wise County coal mine site. This field trial operated successfully for two years. The result of this work is guidelines for on-site wastewater disposal systems than can be operated on reclaimed coal mines. Acceptance of these guidelines by VDH expands the potential for residential and light commercial development on reclaimed coal-mine sites that are not accessible to public sewers. Thus, completion of this work has the potential to create significant economic impact in Virginia’s coalfield region.

Further information on alternative wastewater treatment systems is avaiable.

Publications

Zipper, C., R. Reneau, M. Saluta. 2005. On-Site Treatment and Disposal of Residential Wastewaters on Mined Lands.  Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 460-142.

Zipper, C., R. Reneau, M. Saluta. 2005. Design and Operation of an On-Site Sewage Waste Treatment and Disposal System on a Reclaimed Coal Mine. In: 2005 Powell River Project Research and Education Program Reports.

Zipper, C., R. Reneau, A. Jantrania. 2003. On-Site Sewage Treatment Alternatives. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 448-407.

Huang, J., R.B. Reneau, and C. Hagedorn. 2000. Nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands employed to treat domestic wastewater. Water Research 14:2582-2588.

Harrison, Autumn-Lynn, Raymond B. Reneau, Jr., and Charles Hagedorn.  1999.  Wastewater renovation with mine-derived fill materials.  Pp. 163-178.  In Jose M. Azcue (ed.) Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities - Emphasis on Mitigation and Remedial Measures.  Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany.

Peterson, C.E., R.B. Reneau, and C. Hagedorn. 1994. Use of mine fills for biological renovation of domestic wastewater. Journal of Environmental Quality 23: 592-596.

Peterson, Craig E. 1991. On-site Wastewater Disposal Systems on Reclaimed Mined Lands. M.S. Thesis. Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.