Toxic Barrier for Erft, Rhine, and North Sea

, and Administrator

2025 December 23 . 4:55 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a big tanker with iron ladder and fence at the top.

Toxic Barrier for Erft, Rhine, and North Sea - Toxic Barrier for Erft, Rhine, and North Sea

A major step is being taken to stop toxic mine water from polluting the Rhine and North Sea. The Burgfeyer mine near Mechernich in the Eifel has been releasing around 10 million cubic metres of contaminated water each year. This water carries over 50 tons of heavy metals, which eventually flow into the North Sea.

The Erft River Association is leading efforts to tackle the pollution. They will oversee the planning, construction, and operation of a new treatment facility. This plant will filter out heavy metals before the contaminated water leaves the mine.

State funding has been secured to build the facility, with the goal of drastically cutting contamination levels. Authorities also plan to install a 'toxic barrier' to block the spread of pollution. The exact location of the treatment plant will be announced on January 7, during an event attended by State Economy Minister Mona Neubaur and Environment Minister Oliver Krischer. No other organisation has publicly taken responsibility for similar projects, including an experimentally announced drain blocker, which does not match any known plans as of December 23, 2025.

The new treatment plant aims to prevent further heavy metal pollution from reaching the Rhine and North Sea. Once operational, it will significantly reduce the environmental impact of the Burgfeyer mine’s contaminated water. The project marks a direct response to long-standing concerns over toxic runoff from the Eifel region.