Taichung Environmental Protection Bureau (TCEPB) has carried out the
work to manage the current quality of soil and groundwater, including regular
monitoring, emergency treatment and investigation, verification for soil gas near
underground storage tanks, testifying pollution sites, management and
maintenance of monitoring wells, and educational campaign. In 2016 TCEPB has
commissioned「AECOM」to run「2016 Project of investigating and verifying
pollution for Taichung soil and groundwater」(the “project”), and the working period
was from February 1st 2016 to December 31st 2016. The following abstract is the
interpretation of the project.
1. Investigation of highly potential polluted farmland
According to Article 6 in Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act
the regular monitoring has been imposed to farmlands. There were 86 parcels
under investigation with totally 100 collected samples and only one parcel
(D003) in Dali district was found that the concentrations of chromium and
copper are higher than the control standards. Although the results from Houli
and Dajia districts are below control standards, they are still higher than the
monitoring standards, suggesting the surveillance be continued.
2. Investigation of high pollution potential area groundwater
In 2016, we have successfully completed groundwater sampling for 91
wells in both drought and monsoon season, giving totally 182 samples. The
results indicate there are 10 areas exceeding monitoring standards, i.e.
Taichung Export Processing Zone (TEPZ) and its perimeter, Taichung Tali
Guang Zheng road area, large-size storage tank area of Taichung harbor,
Taichung Industrial Park, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation
(AIDC), Sinon Corporation (Wang Tian factory), Taichung Tali Sunko Ink Co.,
Ltd, Da Jia Youth Industrial Park (DYIP), Chenergy Global Corporation and
Taiwan UL FengFu gas station. The detail results are as follows:
a. Taichung Export Processing Zone (TEPZ) and its perimeter
B00152 and B00335 are two wells exceeding the control standards
in both drought and monsoon season. At B00152 well the
trichloroethylene (TCE) concentrations are 0.0762 mg/L and 0.550 mg/L,
respectively, and the concentration of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is
0.0581 mg/L in monsoon season; while B00335 well shows PCE
concentrations at 0.0872 mg/L and 0.111 mg/L in respective seasons. There are other wells also exceeding monitoring standards in monsoon
season, such as L00153 well giving PCE and TCE concentrations at
0.151 mg/L and 0.167 mg/L, respectively, and B00070 well indicating
PCE and TCE concentrations at 0.102 mg/L and 0.082 mg/L respectively.
In addition, the monitoring wells located at downstream of the TEPZ
groundwater reveal the concentrations of chloro-diene pollutant lower
than the control standards, except for L00097 well giving TCE
concentration at 0.0384 mg/L in monsoon season exceeding the
monitoring standard.
To understand the feature of water usage in TEPZ area, AECOM
had applied 3 extra wells (B00404, B00069 and L00153) to continuously
monitor the water table. B00404 well (located in Lingsen Precision
Industries, Ltd) is significantly affected by nearby pumping station (PW7)
while B00069 and L00153 are relatively less affected although the
intermittent drawdown can be found following the increase in pumping
water at PW7.
b. Taichung Tali Guang Zheng road area
The chromium concentrations at B00113 and B00137 wells, i.e.
0.658 mg/L and 1.01 mg/L respectively, exceed the control standards at
drought season; while at monsoon season, there are also two wells,
B00140 (1.27 mg/L) and B00113 (1.24 mg/L), indicating chromium
concentration higher than the control standards, especially B00113 located
at downstream showing higher chromium concentration than the control
standard at both drought and monsoon season. Yet the concentration is
slightly decreased as compared to last year data and it is known the highly
polluted area is located at Alley 221, Renhua Road.
According to the analysis of Monitoring and Remediation
Optimization System (MAROS), the monitoring work should be carried out
once a year for each well in this area and the installing density of
monitoring wells in the area should be higher as a result of pollutant source
at Alley 221. Besides, Alley 212, Guang Zheng road which is located below
Alley 221, Ren Hua road is the diffuse point as well, and the demand is the
same as Alley 221 for monitoring wells. Thus, it is better to set additional
monitoring wells between 221 alley, Guang Zheng road and early-warning
network B00234 to understand the diffusion and movement situation of
groundwater pollution.
c. Large-size storage tank area in Taichung harbor
B00416 well [located in Prim Oil Chemical Service Corporation
(POCS)] shows the concentration of vinyl chloride at 0.0769 mg/L and
0.0486 mg/L in monsoon and drought season which exceed the control
standards. The concentration of vinyl chloride at L00073 well (Located in
Young Sun Chemtrade Corporation., Ltd) exceeds the control standard in
drought season (0.0276 mg/L). Considering the location of L00073 well
where affected by tidal action, we cannot rule out the effects by the
groundwater transportation from POCS.
d. Taichung Industrial Park
B00347 well (located in the area of Ruey Chang Printing ＆ Packing
Foil Corporation., Ltd) shows the concentration of chromium (2.35 mg/L)
higher than the control standard in monsoon season, and at the
downstream area, the self-setting well (located in Taichung Industrial Park)
presents chromium concentration at 79.2 mg/L and 36.5 mg/L in drought
and monsoon season, respectively, which extremely exceed the control
standards. B00343 well is located further downstream area (early-warning
network) that shows the chromium concentration at 1.06 mg/L and 0.72
mg/L individually in monsoon and drought season, which are higher than
the control standards and indicate the pollutant in warning area. Therefore,
we suggest industrial park commence the emergency process and
maintain monitoring. To secure the safety of drinking water for citizens on
the backward of early-warning network, the examination over heavy metal
concentration is important.
e. Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC)
Most analysis over Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) sample
give lower concentrations than the monitoring standards. However, inside
AIDC factory, the detection in monsoon season shows a value 0.0824
mg/L of TCE that exceeds the control standard and is different from those
in seasonal report submitted to AIDC. TCEPB will not be responsible for
the monitoring service because of the new policy indicating the monitoring
process should be transferred to behavior or party decided by Taiwan
Environmental Protection Administration (new EPA). In the situation, we
realize the variety of information and thus, we recommend TCEPB carry
out at least one peer monitoring for each site as striving for 2018 budget.
f. Sinon Corporation (WangTian factory)
At drought season, L00112 and L00111 wells (inside the factory)
show several pollutant concentrations in groundwater that exceed control
standards, i.e., L00112 pollutants including benzene (0.12 mg/L),
chlorobenzene (11.4 mg/L) and vinyl chloride (0.02 mg/L); L00111
pollutants including 1, 2-dichloroethane (0.0594 mg/L),
1,4-dichlorobenzene (1.08 mg/L) and chlorobenzene (3.86 mg/L). Outside
the factory, L00141 well shows chlorobenzene exceeding the control
standard (drought season:1.29 mg/L, monsoon season: 1.33 mg/L) and
thus, we suggest TCEPB focus on L00141 well for monitoring at least once
a year and request Sinon Corporation to improve the remediation process
as soon as possible or increase the range of hydraulic control. Additionally,
soil excavation work should be accelerated.
g. Taichung Tali Sunko Ink Co., Ltd
Inside the factory, B00256 and B00382 wells show arsenic
concentrations in groundwater that exceed control standards, i.e., B00256
in drought season (0.625 mg/L) and monsoon season (0.739 mg/L);
B00382 in drought season (1.45 mg/L) and monsoon season (1.33 mg/L).
B00256 well also shows several VOC concentrations exceeding control
standards, and the values in drought season are higher than in monsoon
season, i.e., 1,4-dichlorobenzene (0.868 mg/L), benzene (0.704 mg/L),
chlorobenzene (16.0 mg/L) and vinyl chloride (0.0278 mg/L). B00382 is
another well with pollutant concentrations exceeding VOC control
standards in both drought and monsoon season, i.e., chlorobenzene (6.17
mg/L), PCE (0.099 mg/L) and vinyl chloride (0.0995 mg/L) in drought
season; chlorobenzene (2.68 mg/L) in monsoon season. Consequently,
we suggest industry focus on the control of groundwater emergency
process that may avoid the diffusion of pollutant during remediation work
program.
h. Dajia Youth Industrial Park (DYIP) and surrounding area
TY09/B00429 is a self-set well that shows the concentrations of
nickel exceed the control standards in both drought (1.15 mg/L) and
monsoon (1.52 mg/L) season, and the nearby well B00373 shows the
concentrations of nickel exceed the control standards in monsoon season
as well (0.887 mg/L). Besides, inside DYIP’s early-warning network,
L00168 well was first found the concentration of nickel exceed the
monitoring standard in monsoon season (0.393 mg/L). Moreover, we have
completed organizing the basic information and location distribution of 49 industries using nickel and 3 industries using arsenic in DYIP for follow-up
managing administrator to trace the source of pollution and keep
monitoring the wells with unusual data.
i. Other area
Taiwan UL FengFu gas station (L0090 well) shows that several
pollutant concentrations exceed the control standards in drought season,
including Naphthalene (0.604 mg/L), methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) (1.73
mg/L) and TPH (45.2 mg/L); in monsoon season, the concentrations of
pollutants are decreased to monitoring standards due to the remediation
work undergoing, but still need to be monitored. Chenergy Global
Corporation (B00345) shows the concentrations of TPH at 77.4 mg/L in
drought season and 60.1 mg/L in monsoon season, both of which exceed
the control standards. Thus, we should ask industry to ensure that the
pollutants will not be transported to groundwater through infiltration and
diffuse to further area.
3. Maintenance and management of monitoring wells
In first half year, we have completed exterior and interior patrol and
inspection for 214 monitoring wells and 219 in the last half year. Other results
include condition assessment for 37 wells, rebuilding 19 wells, eliminating
foreign substance for 5 wells, repairing 19 well exteriors and body facility of 9
wells and abrogating 5 wells. Our team found there are 26 wells in need of
exterior repair at the last half year; however, the budget is limited that we
suggest to repair it depending on its damage level. Besides, there are 8
monitoring wells in need of condition evaluation to ensure if the well is well
functional.
4. Verification and supervision of pollution site
Our team complete 817 times patrol and inspection since February 2016,
and end up in October 2016 according to the contract (once per two months).
On 25th March, we found soil vapor extraction (SVE) equipment present low
efficiency in Tai An northbound gas station; on 19th September, we sample and
measure the effluent pH and chromium concentration from Ruey Chang
Printing ＆ Packing Foil Corporation., Ltd which cannot conforms to effluent
standards; some pollution farmland grow plants, i.e., no.377, Dun Bei section,
Hou Li district; no. 744-2, Tian Shuei section, Long Jing district. Additionally,
our team has assisted TCEPB examine 88 reports.
The original contract indicate to complete 5 sites verification, however, due
to most sites postpone its working time, TCEPB agree to adjust the content of
original contract. On 16th November, our team accomplish the verification of
Shen Gang gas station, and the results show the concentrations of TPH still
exceed the control standards. Thus, we suggest TCEPB announce Shen Gang
gas station as a pollution control site in accordance with the law. On 22th
November, our team accomplish the verification of Yuken Hydraulics
Corporation., Ltd, and the results show the concentrations of TPH and VOCs
are lower than control standards and thus, we suggest to remove it from
pollution control list.
5. Inspection of underground storage tank
There are 312 (January), 313 (May) and 310 (September) underground
storage tank industries have to complete online application, separately, our
team finish the verification in February, June and September. Both the
percentage of application and verification are 100%. According to the pollution
potential classification of underground storage stank which is completed by our
team, the team has selected 12 highly potential polluted underground storage
for verification. Among selected high pollution potential underground storage
tanks, Long Jing shan Loong gas station, Wu Feng Lin Sen road gad station,
Chih Kao gas station and Yong He street gas station are belong to level A
which are investigated through emergency process funds. On 7th November,
the investigation results of Wu Feng Lin Sen road gad station shows the
concentration of soil gas is lower than regulatory warning standards. On 8th
November, soil gas investigation results of Yong He street gas station present
only one detection tube’s value exceed regulatory warning standards;
nonetheless, we suppose it could be a anthropogenic effect. On 10th November,
the investigation results of Long Jing shan Loong gas station shows the highest
value of TPH is 15,200 mg/kg which exceeds control standards. On 21th
November, the investigation results of Chih Kao gas station shows there is no
detection of TPH and BTEX.
Moreover, the trace investigation results of Ta Tung gas station and Tan Zi
gas station shows that the former has stable soil gas condition, latter has
continuously 2 unusual soil gas value and further the measurement results of
gas chromatography indicates the presence of benzene substance. Our team
have completed the adjustment of original contract for Tan Zi gas station, and
finish soil sampling on 15th November that the concentrations of TPH and
VOCs are lower than the control standards. Besides, the investigation results of Ruei Guo gas station present the concentrations of TPH and VOCs are lower
than the control standards as well.
6. Emergencies treatment work
As of 21th December 2016, our team have completed 12 soil and
groundwater emergencies treatment works, including Da Jia farmland, Wu Ri
farmland, Tali district illegal dicard place, Wai Pu district illegal discard place,
pronunciation of Sinon Corporation groundwater program, Tai Ping
electroplating factory, 2 industries from Da jia, reporting soil exception from
Taichung industry park, Xi Tun district farmland and Long Jing shan Loong gas
station. There are 7 cases exceeding control standards, and the total funds is
732,661 NTD.
7. Other achievements
Our team assist TCEPB holding 1 groundwater storage tank laws
explanation session, 1 environmental regulation workshop, 20 campus
educational propagandas and 1 soil and groundwater public propaganda. The
amount of all activities participants conform to contract and the results of
questionnaire shows high satisfaction. The international environmental
exhibition didn’t hold this year by EPA, but complete 1 farmland pollution
remediation model for TCEPB.
Furthermore, our team also assist 22 place’s initial sited assessment,
visiting 7 factories on the upstream of Da Jia farmland, writing the proposal for
2011Tali farmland claim, planning the deliberation standards for Taichung soil
and groundwater pollution improvement program, completing groundwater
pollution classification in Xi tun, Nan Tun, Tai Pin and Wu Chi districts’,
updating 4,572 data from Taichung soil and groundwater environmental
information database.
