Changhua County targets illegal farm wastewater with smart monitoring

彰化縣以智慧監測打擊違法農業廢水

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Changhua County is using smart monitoring technology and legal measures to tackle years of pollution in the Dongluo River, a waterway affected by illegal wastewater discharges.

Business Today reported that the river, often called Changhua’s “mother river,” has long been polluted by wastewater from livestock farms and households, as well as illegally dumped garbage. The county is home to 595 livestock farms and is a major supplier of milk, eggs and meat in Taiwan.

Livestock wastewater is a major source of pollution, but illegal discharges are difficult to catch. Some operators release untreated wastewater at night or during off-peak hours, making it harder for authorities to collect evidence and issue fines.

To address the problem, the Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau introduced what it calls Taiwan’s first data-driven smart water monitoring network. The system tracks water conditions and helps officials identify possible pollution incidents.

In 2022, the bureau worked with the Changhua District Prosecutors Office to investigate illegal wastewater discharges involving 19 livestock farms. The case led authorities to combine legal enforcement with measures to prevent further pollution.

Prosecutors agreed to defer prosecution if the operators invested in a livestock wastewater treatment center. The arrangement allowed the farms to avoid immediate prosecution while requiring them to help fund improvements to wastewater treatment.

Changhua County Environmental Protection Bureau Director Chiang Pei-ken (江培根) said wastewater pollution remains a major challenge for the county. The monitoring network and cooperation with prosecutors aim to improve river conditions while allowing the livestock industry to continue operating.

The initiative goes beyond fines by requiring polluters to contribute to long-term wastewater treatment. It also gives authorities additional tools to detect illegal discharges and prevent further damage to the river.