Impact of Climate Change on Kaoping River Water Quality

Abstract

In these years, the global climate change has caused the increase in storm and drought frequency. In August 2009, Taiwan experienced its worst floods in 50 years after Typhoon Morakot struck almost the entire southern region. During the three-day event, Typhoon Morakot brought copious amounts of rainfall, peaking at 2,500 mm, which triggered severe flooding throughout the region. The Kaoping River Basin was one of the most impacted regions in southern Taiwan. A huge amount of sediments and debris flowed into the Kaoping River Basin, which caused high concentration of suspended sediment in the river causing the shut down of water treatment plants. In addition, the Kaoping River receiving significant biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia loads from hog farms and domestic wastewaters and resulted in the deterioration of water quality. The Water Quality Simulation Program (WASP)/EUTRO model was used to simulate the fate and transport of water quality pollutants and develop water quality management strategies. The developed strategies are able to effectively control the pollutants and improve the Kaoping River water quality.