Google’s water stewardship strategy goes beyond managing our own water use — we’re actively working to improve watershed health in the communities where we operate. To support this, in collaboration with the Hsinchu City Government and the Taiwan Ministry of Environment, today we’re announcing a $3 million contribution to help improve water quality in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
Supporting watershed health in Taiwan
The Xipuzi drainage, a channel feeding into Taiwan’s Touqian River, is currently classified as severely polluted due to the presence of untreated domestic wastewater from areas not connected to a sewage system, reducing the available water supply in the region. To help improve water quality in the Xipuzi drainage, Google is funding a gravel contact oxidation process (GCOP) facility that is projected to treat more than 450 million gallons of water annually over a ten-year period.
GCOPs are ecological treatment systems that use gravel as a filter to remove pollutants from water. The gravel encourages the growth of biofilm, which helps break down pollutants, effectively improving water quality. The GCOP will also help benefit aquatic habitats and protect public health through reduced exposure to harmful pathogens.
By increasing water quality and supply in the Touqian River, this project will enhance the overall health and resilience of the watershed and support water security in other parts of Taiwan.
