Taiwan Today
Date: December 15, 2015
A bill facilitating the recycling and reuse of wastewater was passed by the ROC Legislature
Water treated at Kaohsiung City’s Fengshan River facility is to be made available for use by local industries under the new recycled water bill passed Dec. 14 by the Legislature. (Courtesy of KCG)
Dec. 14 in Taipei City, establishing a legal framework for the sustainable development of water resources in Taiwan.
Under the Reclaimed Water Resources Development Act, local service providers can access water discharged into the sewer systems. This new measure is projected to free up 1.32 million tons of recycled water daily by 2031—roughly 10 percent of Taiwan’s public supply.
Lai Chien-hsin, deputy director-general of the Water Resources Agency, said enactment of the legislation marks a strong step forward in the nation’s industrial and water resources development. “The water will mainly be used by the industrial sector after treatment, and development projects must incorporate a specific proportion of recycled water in areas experiencing supply issues.”
But the new regulations do not allow recycled water to be used for drinking or in the food and pharmaceutical industries. “Violators are subject to prison sentences of up to five years plus a fine between NT$300,000 [US$9,170] and NT$5 million,” he said. [FULL STORY]
