Taiwan and the US Lead Asia-Pacific Countries in Soil and Groundwater Remediation Practices, Offering Technical Management Solutions
Taiwan has been continuously developing technologies for the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, importing advanced ones from environmentally progressive countries, and enhancing and localizing them. This ongoing effort ensures Taiwan's leading position in the Asian region and enables the sharing of its experiences with other Asia-Pacific countries. Through the Taiwan-US Environmental Cooperation Agreement, the Environmental Management Administration (EMA) of the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) invited seven experts from the United States and Australia to participate in the "2024 International Workshop for Taiwan-US Soil and Groundwater Remediation Technical Exchange" held at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan on June 27-28, with over 200 domestic and international participants from industry, government, and academia. This event provided opportunities to learn about the latest international trends in emerging contaminant remediation technologies and management strategies.
In his opening remarks, Minister Chi-Ming Peng emphasized that high-quality soil and groundwater are fundamental to protecting ecosystems and human health, and crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Especially in the face of extreme weather events currently arising from climate change, planning for remediation must consider greener, more sustainable and resilient methods and tools. Additionally, thought must be given to addressing the challenges posed by emerging contaminants, which the Ministry of Environment has begun to investigate and manage. This international workshop provided an excellent opportunity to share and exchange experiences regarding the remediation and management of emerging contaminants, thus contributing to restoring the environment and maintaining sustainability.
Assistant Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Jane Nishida, delivered an address, noting that since the 1990s, the US EPA has closely collaborated with Taiwan's Ministry of Environment to enhance environmental protection. Assistant Administrator Nishida specifically thanked the teams from the US EPA, Taiwan's Ministry of Environment, and the Working Group on Remediation for Soil and Groundwater Pollution of the Asia and Pacific Region (ReSAG) for their concerted efforts in making this in-person exchange possible. She emphasized that soil and groundwater contamination pose serious threats to human health, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, making it crucial to strengthen capabilities to remediate contaminated sites. She expressed hope that this workshop would promote the exchange of professional knowledge and further protect the environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The EMA stated that this international workshop invited experts from the US and Australia to share their insights on international trends in the management of emerging contaminants, remediation technologies, and case studies. The EMA also invited official representatives from nine member countries of the ReSAG to exchange information on the latest remediation technologies, management strategies, and implementation experiences. During the workshop, several Taiwanese experts and scholars participated in interactive discussions, enabling attendees to quickly get updated on the latest global trends in their fields.
Another highlight of this international workshop was the concurrent exhibition for the first time of Taiwan's twelve most advanced soil and groundwater contamination remediation and environmental protection technologies. The exhibits, developed by the Ministry of Environment, academia, and industry, included the "Passive Groundwater Sampler", "Soil Washing Technology", and "Introducing AI Geofencing for Combating Illegal Dumping." The invited experts from industry, government, and academia demonstrated the principles and applications of these technologies to representatives from the US, Australia, and ReSAG.
Deputy Minister Chih-Hsiu Shen expressed his pleasure in seeing Taiwan showcase its innovative environmental technologies at this international event, reflecting Taiwan's leadership in investigation and remediation technologies related to environmental contamination. He also hoped that "Taiwan Can Help" by promoting these technologies to the Asia-Pacific region, to assist neighboring countries with preventing and ameliorating soil and groundwater contamination, and fostering cooperation in regional environmental protection.
The EMA emphasized that soil and groundwater protection is the last line of defense for Earth's survival. As a leading guardian of environmental protection in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to collaborate with advanced countries to develop green, sustainable remediation technologies and pollution prevention strategies. Furthermore, Taiwan will share the outcomes of regional cooperation to continue safeguarding soil and groundwater resources.
Sources: Ministry of Environment
