In the north-east of the Moselle, in the Lorraine coalfield, coal mining led to a sharp drop in the aquifer level, which used to be close to the surface. Water from the mine galleries was pumped out and discharged into rivers.
In the drained wetlands, industry developed and towns were built.
Flood risks to watch out for
In the 2000s, when mining and pumping ceased, the stock of groundwater was replenished. Little by little, it has risen back to its pre-mining level. This has created the risk of flooding in built-up areas.
A series of three educational videos has been produced to explain the phenomenon and the preventive measures being taken. They retrace the rise in the groundwater level after mining operations ceased and present the measures taken to limit potential impacts.
