Expansion of Groundwater Pollution - December 1999

Expansion of Groundwater Pollution - December 1999

Groundwater pollution in Japan has been worsening, especially in urban and industrial areas. According to a 1998 investigation by the Environment Agency, hazardous substances such as hexavalent chromium and trichloroethylene were detected in groundwater in industrial areas such as Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, and Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. In some areas of Kawaguchi City, hexavalent chromium concentrations exceeded the standard of 0.05 mg/L, reaching 0.5 mg/L, raising concerns about health effects on local residents.

In Ichihara City, the concentration of petrochemical and metal processing factories is high, and industrial waste discharged by companies such as Showa Denko and JXTG Energy (now ENEOS Holdings) is pointed out as a source of groundwater contamination. Trichloroethylene, in particular, poses a carcinogenic risk if mixed with drinking water, leading to growing concerns among local residents.

In response, the Environment Agency has strengthened its monitoring system for groundwater and is conducting ongoing investigations in affected areas. The government is also considering a revision of laws to impose severe penalties, such as fines and business suspensions, on companies that engage in illegal wastewater discharge or improper waste disposal. In addition, in the Ichihara City petrochemical complex, there is an urgent need to introduce new technologies for proper waste treatment.