Elicitation of Groundwater Pollution Problems by chemicals such as trichloroethylene

The general survey on groundwater throughout Japan, in 1982, covered 1,360 wells in 15 cities. That survey detected two chemicals, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, in nearly 30% of the wells. It also found that the WHO drinking water quality guidelines for trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were exceeded in 3% and 4% of the wells, respectively. Based on the results of this baseline survey, provisional pollution prevention guidelines were prepared for trichloroethylene in 1984, and administrative guidance was provided to factories and business establishments by the prefectural governments. However, the guidelines and administrative assistance were insufficient to be effective in preventing groundwater pollution. Improvements were necessary. The situation led to an amendment of the Water Pollution Control Law by the Environmental Agency in 1989.

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