Acid Mine Drainage Research-Service-Learning in the Laurel Highlands

Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room

Acid mine drainage is the greatest water quality issue facing Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2012, the Saint Francis University Center for Watershed Research & Service has been deeply involved in a multitude of research and service projects related to the characterization and treatment of acid mine drainage. On the research side, the Center has helped to advance the simultaneous and passive co-treatment of acid mine drainage and sewage as well as acid mine drainage treatment with open limestone channels. Serving our surrounding communities, the Center has assisted nonprofit and governmental organizations on projects ranging from characterizing acid mine drainage impacts, determining treatment system performance, and troubleshooting treatment systems. In addition, the Center is leading an effort to transfer sustainable acid mine drainage treatment technology developed in our region to severely impacted mining regions in the Bolivian Altiplano.