Sustainable Development Goals

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By Huang Wen-yao, Hsinchu


To address the management of the Fengshan River in Hsinchu County, the Guanxi Environmental Protection Association partnered with National Tsing Hua University under a University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative to host the Fengshan River Watershed Co-learning Forum at the Taiwan Tea Corporation. Through a model combining environmental protection, technology, and civic participation, the forum urged the government to establish a water source protection area as soon as possible.

"About 25% of Taiwan's rivers are classified as moderately to severely polluted."

A professor from National Tsing Hua University presented more than a decade of survey and research findings on rivers in the Greater Hsinchu area. Through the forum, the organizers hoped to raise public awareness and inspire greater commitment to protecting local water resources.

Wang Chun-cheng, Professor at the Institute of Service Science, National Tsing Hua University, said:

"We hope to use technology to protect the environment, let the environment guide cultural development, and enable cultural development to support industrial progress. Ultimately, we hope to encourage broad public participation so that we can work together to create a better environment for everyone."

Lo Kung-chi, Chairperson of the Guanxi Environmental Protection Association, said:

"We want to seek justice for the Fengshan River. In other words, we want to give the river a voice and help people understand the current condition of Hsinchu's second-largest river."

Three years ago, an illegal leak of industrial waste liquid from storage drums at Ace Spada contaminated the Fengshan River, raising concerns about the safety of the public drinking water supply. To help detect future pollution, National Tsing Hua University has installed an electronic nose river monitoring platform at Chaoyin Zen Temple in Guanxi Township. However, local residents believe that the most effective long-term solution is to designate a water source protection area upstream of the water intake point.

Chen Yu-chan, Executive Director of the Lujiang Education Foundation, said:

"If a Drinking Water Quality and Quantity Protection Area could be established for the Fengshan River, there would be a stronger legal basis for protecting the river."

The proposed Fengshan River Drinking Water Quality and Quantity Protection Area is currently being drafted by the Third Branch of the Taiwan Water Corporation. The proposal is under review by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, with additional documentation being prepared. Local stakeholders hope the central government will complete the designation as soon as possible to safeguard the safety of the region's drinking water.



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