This project was to assist the EPA in conducting relevant work (including data compilation of water quality, trend analysis, planning and adjustment suggestion of monitoring plan, data integration of existing groundwater quality monitoring wells managed by various entities, and to study on amendments of the related laws and regulations) of management of monitoring wells, conduct investigation of groundwater quality at 10 waste water soil-treatment plants, and to provide suggestions on follow-up monitoring and management. The project period starts from Jan. 29, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008. The descriptions of the activities conduct in this project are in the following:
1.Investigation of groundwater quality at 10 waste water soil-treatment plants
(1)Assessment (including collection of basic data, on-site investigation, and interview) of 17 waste water soil-treatment plants at Phase I.
(2)Sampling and test of soil and groundwater of simple wells at 10 waste water soil-treatment plants with totaling 60 samples for soil and groundwater each at Phase II.
(3)Sampling and test of soil and groundwater and effluent of standard wells at 3 sites with high pollution potential (Suantou No.2 and 3 farms in Chia-I County, Lioukuaicuo farm in Pingtung County, and Annei farm in Chia-I County). 9 standard monitoring wells were set up and collected 9 samples for soil, groundwater, and effluent each.
(4)No sample of soil and groundwater had exceeded the control standards. Only the concentration of cadmium in 1 soil sample exceeded the monitoring standard. Ammonia, nitrogen, total dissolved solids, total hardness, nitrate nitrogen, chloride, and total organic carbon in the groundwater exceeded the monitoring standard. Among them, ammonia and nitrogen are most common and have higher concentration (the Suantou No.2 and 3 farms have maximal concentration of 237mg/L which is 948 times of monitoring standard).
(5)After analyzing the 3 sites with high pollution potential, it was found that in addition to pig dung, another reason that causes the pollution in the Suantou No.2 and 3 farms may be the pollution accumulation at the Beigang River caused by seawater intrusion.
(6)Suggestion on monitoring: the regular monitoring scope for the 3 above-mentioned sites with high pollution potential should include the standard monitoring wells planned in this project and the 3 sites have to declare the monitoring report
(7)Suggestion on management: the pre-treated sewage should be drained equally by sections. The discharge point and ditches should have pavement to decrease the percolation rate. Besides, in order to control the efficiency of sewage facilities, the test frequency of discharge should be raised, if necessary.
2.Management of Monitoring Well
(1)Basic data compilation of 431 monitoring wells installed in regions and 1,357 monitoring wells installed in factories nationwide
(2)Conducting trend analysis of groundwater quality listed in 15 monitoring items of 383 regional monitoring wells with monitoring records over 3 years by using Mann Kendall test. It was found that the groundwater quality of 30 regional monitoring wells have never exceeded the control standards; the groundwater quality of 279 regional monitoring wells once had exceeded monitoring standards, but the trend analyses are stable; the groundwater quality of 74 regional monitoring wells have exceeded monitoring standards and with a ascend trend, and should be included into main observation part.
(3)Based on the pollution potential of regional monitoring wells and purpose of monitoring, this project planned and provided improvement suggestions for monitoring plan (including monitoring type, monitoring items and frequency)
(4)Study and preparation of unified coding principle for monitoring wells, follow-up treatment principle for investigation and verification of monitoring wells, etc., as requested by the EPA.
3.Data Integration of Existing Groundwater Quality Monitoring Wells Managed by Various Entities
(1)Monitoring data collection from groundwater monitoring stations installed by the WRA, Science Park, and the other relevant agencies. It was found that the monitoring data of deep monitoring well installed by the WRA shows that it is common that the concentration of ammonia, nitrogen, iron, and manganese exceeds the groundwater pollution monitoring standards.
(2)According to the analysis result of monitoring data over the years, the Dashe, Rengwu, Linyuan, Guanin Industrial Parks and Yoshih and Dayuan Industrial Parks in Taoyuan County once had exceeded control standards (some industries with actual pollution have been officially announced for control by the EPA). Moreover, from the deep monitoring wells installed by the WRA, the concentration of arsenic, nitrate nitrogen, lead, cadmium, and chromium once had met the control standards. Also, trichloroethylene pollution in Hsinchu Science Park and the concentration of arsenic in Southern Taiwan Science Park once had exceeded control standards and should be monitored by the EPA continually.
(3)This project prepared the Draft of Guidelines for Information Integration of Groundwater Monitoring and assisted the EPA in amending the Draft, in accordance with the conclusion reached in the meeting attended by the WRA, Industrial Development Bureau, Science Park Administration, and Export Processing Zone Administration on Nov. 12, 2008.
(4)According to the amendment of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act, this project prepared the Draft of Guidelines for industry competent authorities submit the data of soil and groundwater quality to competent authorities for references. The format, test timing, and test items are specified in it.
4.Administration Support Relevant to Monitoring Well Management
(1)Provision of Draft of Operations Specification of Well Abandonment of Groundwater Monitoring Wells
(2)Provision of suggestions on amendment of groundwater pollution control standards. Ethylbenzene, xylene, total petroleum hydrocarbons diesel, dichloromethane, 1,1,2 trichloroethane, and hydride are included into the standards. Besides, the EPA was assisted in holding a public seminar on Oct 28, 2008.
(3)Assistance the EPA in holding seminar attended by relevant competent authorities on draft of Groundwater Control Standards Amendment and management of groundwater monitoring wells.
