Assessing pollution prevention program by QUAL2E simulation analysis for the Kao-Ping River Basin, Taiwan

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Resource Management
• River Basin Planning

Background:

• Effective river basin management necessitates sustainable water resource use, considering both quantity and quality.
• Integrated management strategies are crucial as water quantity and quality are interconnected.
• South Taiwan faces challenges in balancing industrial water needs with environmental protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impacts of water resource redistribution and pollution prevention actions in South Taiwan's river basins.
• To evaluate the effects of water transfer from the Tseng-Wen River system on the Kao-Ping River system's water quality.
• To analyze the effectiveness of pollution control measures in the Kao-Ping River basin.

Main Methods:

• Hydraulic and environmental characterization of the Kao-Ping River.
• Calibration and validation of the QUAL2E water quality model using 1998-1999 data.
• Simulation of water quality impacts under different management scenarios.

Main Results:

• Eliminating pig farming and improving sewage systems in the Kao-Ping River's upstream area did not fully meet downstream water quality standards.
• Water transfer exacerbated negative impacts on water quality in the Kao-Ping River, particularly during the wet season.
• Simulations indicated potentially worse water quality conditions in the dry season.

Conclusions:

• Local pollution control measures alone are insufficient for the Kao-Ping River system.
• Water transfer significantly impacts downstream water quality, necessitating broader management approaches.
• Long-term solutions require additional policies, such as economic instruments, to control pollution loads.