Kaohsiung Builds Two Pumping Stations on Love River, Aims for Pre-Rainy Season Completion

Kaohsiung's Water Resources Agency is investing NT$19.95 million to construct two new pumping stations along the Love River, aiming to significantly enhance drainage capacity in the low-lying Qianjin District. This initiative is designed to combat the persistent flooding issues that plague the area, particularly during typhoons and high tides.

The project will include four pumping units, utilizing mechanical drainage to improve efficiency in areas like Guangfu 2nd and 3rd Streets, which are susceptible to seawater intrusion due to their proximity to the sea. The existing tide gates, in use for 39 years, have suffered from corrosion and aging, increasing the risk of inundation during heavy rainfall.

Recent upgrades to the Minsheng interception station's tide gates, supported by NT$7.8 million in central government funding, have already shown effectiveness in reducing seawater backflow and flooding during recent high tides and heavy rains. Old gate facilities at the end of Minsheng Dapai, no longer needed near the Love River, have been dismantled to improve the riverside landscape while maintaining flood control functions.

Construction for the new pumping stations is slated to commence in September, with a target completion date before the peak of the next rainy season. The agency is confident that the combination of updated tide gates and enhanced pumping capacity will bolster the Qianjin District's flood defense system, providing residents with a safer and more secure living environment.