2009 MIECF: Two scholars share experience in water quality control and solid waste treatment after the Wenchuan Earthquake

At the Natural Disaster Management Symposium of 2009 MIECF, several scholars presented their studies on earthquake disaster control. Among them, Professor Zhang Xiaojian and Professor Nie Yongfeng of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, gave special presentations on the water quality risk and emergent measurement for Municipal Water Supply after the Wenchuan Earthquake. Water Works Should Formulate Contingency Plans for Various Water Contamination Risks In his presentation, Professor Zhang Xiaojian of the Institute of Drinking Water Safety, the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University summarized the earthquake’s impacts on the municipal water supply and the emergent measures taken in response, as well as the good results of the water quality control efforts made by the Chengdu Municipal Water Supply Company and the various water works in such cities as Mianyang and Deyang after the disaster. Prof. Zhang Xiaojian pointed out that the water resources agencies must pay attention to water contamination risks after an earthquake and monitor water quality, including pathogenic microorganisms, pesticides, petroleum and organic pollutants, heavy metals, taste and odor, and suspended solids. He presented a number of effective techniques for emergent treatment of water contamination, for future reference of Macao and other cities when in face of a major natural disaster or epidemic. He recommended that a water works should first determine the corresponding technique of emergent treatment for each particular risk, and then, taking into consideration of the unique conditions of the works, determine the emergent measures for different water quality risks and objectives. Safety as First Priority in Solid Waste Treatment after a Disaster Professor Nie Yongfeng of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China gave a presentation titled Solid Waste Treatment in the Sichuan Disaster Areas after the Earthquake, in which he shared the priorities and measures in the treatment of solid wastes in the disaster areas as a real life experience. Professor Nie proposed that different measures be adopted for different wastes emerging after an earthquake, such as household wastes, animal corpses, hazardous wastes and building ruins. These wastes could be recycled while minimizing potential hazard. Professor Nie pointed out, according to environmental safety principle, priority should be given to treatment of drinking water, medical wastes and hazardous chemicals in the treatment of wastes in a disaster area, and other kinds of wastes should also be sorted out and treated centrally. In this way, massive pollution to the environment and harm to human health can be minimized.