Soil and groundwater are extremely precious resources that humans and life in general depend on for survival. For the protection of health, the ecosystem, and natural resources, use of a business site must be restricted as soon as the soil or groundwater is found to have been contaminated; additionally, pollution control and cleanup measures will have to be taken where necessary to remove contaminants or reduce risks down to an acceptable level.
Given the current framework of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act, the polluter and the local authority are more inclined to adopting fast treatment techniques for soil and groundwater contamination, hoping to clear the contaminated site of restrictions in the shortest time possible. However, these techniques may cost more energy and resources, or even result in secondary contamination that once again damages the environment and makes society pay a higher price. CPC adopts the concept of Green and Sustainable Remediation (GSR), along with the relevant framework and assessment tools introduced by the government in 2008. Since then, CPC has been engaging in remediations with a green perspective to lessen overall environmental impact while producing economic and social benefits, ultimately achieving sustainable use of land and groundwater. When executing remediation of contamination, CPC sets its goals to deliver mutual benefits from an environmental, social, and economic perspective.
Green and sustainable remediation
Remediation of Wugu Petrol Station
During an inspection conducted in 2010, New Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection discovered pollution potentials at the site where CPC’s Wugu Petrol Station is located, and subsequently imposed soil pollution control in 2013 followed by groundwater pollution control in 2018. For nearly 10 years, various techniques including soil vapor extraction (SVE), air sparging (AS), and dual phase extraction (DPE) were adopted for in-situ remediation, as opposed to the old excavation and off-site remediation approach. The remediation project was completed at the end of 2022.
The GSR decision-making and management approach
Remediation outcome