Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract/Objectives
The Greater Hsinchu area's domestic water supply mainly relies on the Touqian River basin, which serves over 750,000 residents. However, the river's water quality is compromised due to pollution from industrial and household wastewater, posing a threat to drinking water safety. A sediment study by National Tsing Hua University revealed heavy metals in the river's sediment. In response, the university is implementing a project focused on enhancing research and monitoring of the river's water quality and pollution sources. The initiative incorporates cutting-edge environmental science and emphasizes the importance of education for social change through the "One School, One River" program, integrating environmental curricula in schools to promote stewardship of the river basin. The overarching goal is to foster collaboration between the community and educational institutions, establishing a comprehensive support system for environmental protection in the Greater Hsinchu area.
Results/Contributions

The water supply for domestic use in the Greater Hsinchu area primarily comes from the Touqian River basin, which provides water for over 750,000 residents in Hsinchu County and City. However, the water quality along the Touqian River basin is polluted to varying degrees, including industrial and business wastewater, untreated household wastewater, and leachate from garbage temporary storage sites, all of which flow into the upstream drinking water intake points. This situation affects the water quality of the Touqian River and poses a potential threat to domestic water supply.

   According to a sediment investigation study published in 2024 by the "National Tsing Hua University Touqian River Project" team, sediment in the Touqian River contains heavy metals such as nickel, zinc, chromium, and arsenic. In response to this challenge, National Tsing Hua University has adopted "grounded academic" as its action strategy, expanding and deepening related research on the Touqian River. The project includes initiatives such as "sediment testing and bio-toxicity research" and "real-time monitoring model training for river waste," supplemented by two academic teams focusing on "analysis of water quality pollution in the Touqian River and predictive analysis of sediment pollution correlation" and "rapid miniaturized water quality testing and analysis technology." Through cutting-edge environmental science research, the project aims to establish real-time monitoring and source investigation in the Touqian River basin and achieve water pollution early warning through continuous analysis of various environmental data sources.

   In addition to incorporating environmental technology, the project team strongly believes that education is a powerful tool for driving social change, and sustainable education is the foundation for all social action. Therefore, the project team plans to channel the knowledge framework and advocacy from higher education systems into the twelve-year national education system, creating the "One School, One River" initiative. This initiative will help each school develop environmental curricula that align with their unique characteristics from a micro perspective while promoting collective stewardship of the basin on a macro scale. This will create a school support system that encompasses the entire Greater Hsinchu basin, achieving a deep integration of education and environmental protection.

   In summary, this forum aims to implement the project "Deep Integration of Technology and Community: Jointly Safeguarding the Touqian River through Empirical Research and Competency Education," combined with the establishment of the "Touqian River Basin School Alliance," spearheaded by National Tsing Hua University in collaboration with high school partners to realize the vision of educating for the stewardship of the basin.

Keywords
Touqian River, Water quality pollution, Heavy metals, Environmental science, Sustainable education
References
Contact Information
許崇韜
a0908588968@gmail.com