For solving problems of water shortages and increased effluents in zones in recent years, the Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) has assisted Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc. (ASE Inc.) in constructing the wastewater reclamation plant, which can recycle 20,000 tons of wastewater per day, in Nantze Export Processing Zone (NEPZ). After its completion, it will be the largest industrial wastewater reclamation plant in Taiwan at present.
After the wastewater reclamation plant collects effluents from ASE's factories, it takes three processes to protect the final part of thin film equipments not to be influenced by Bio-Fouling. First of all, it takes BAC (Biological Activated Carbon) as the pretreatment and makes COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) decline; hence, the nutrient sources for biological growth will reduce. Secondly, it takes MF (Microfiltration) treatment. By the theory of sand filtering, the solid suspensions removal rate is about 99.9%. Thirdly, it takes UF (Ultrafiltration) and RO (Reverse Osmosis) treatments to obstruct pollutants such as small granules and colloidal substances so as to improve the water quality. In addition, the construction for the wastewater reclamation plant is divided into two phases; the phase I project will be finished in the first half of 2015, and the plant will start to operate and produce water, which is expected to dispose 20,000 tons of wastewater and recycle 10,000 tons of them. In the first half of 2017, the phase II project will be completed and the plant will be operated to produce water; in other words, after the wastewater reclamation plant is completed, its operation can save 20,000 tons of tap water and reduce 20,000 tons of wastewater.
It is reported that the wastewater reclamation plant mainly collects effluents from factories of ASE Inc. for recycling, so ASE Inc. needs to integrate contents of Water Pollution Control Measures from each factory and records them. Therefore, during the process of plant's construction, ASE Inc. encountered difficulties in applying for alteration for its water pollution control measures. At present the Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) actively collaborates with Environmental Protection Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (EPB) to give ASE Inc. appropriate counseling and assistances in order to make the wastewater reclamation plant, which is meaningful for education, operate smoothly as soon as possible.
Moreover, the EPZA also assists ASE Inc. in water saving measures and provides professional consultants to go in factories giving them assistances. And with their guidance, ASE Inc. now has initial effectiveness; from 2010 to the end of 2013, ASE Inc. has daily saved 7,716 tons of water after following the guidance and professional advices. On the other hand, ASE Inc. expects to do reclamation and reuse of its fabrication and polishing wastewater since 2014, and it will save more 3,340 tons of water per day.
According to the EPZA, for the purpose of encouraging companies in zones to do industrial water conservation during the period of government's promotions in saving and reusing water, the EPZA will provide administrative guidance and help companies solve problems in establishing factories. Furthermore, the project for wastewater reclamation plant established by ASE Inc. and the EPZA will also provide professional reclamation techniques and practices for other related companies in Nantze EPZ. And the EPZA expects to promote reclamation plants and apply them in all zones, and hopes to do their best in environmental protection and sustainable usage of water resources.
Contact Person: Li, Wen-Shan (Environmental Protection and Landscaping Section of Fourth Division)
Contact Number: 886-7-361-1212 ext218
Email: chan5451@epza.gov.tw