Kaohsiung pumping station floods again weeks after completion, councilor questions NT$27 million effectiveness

Flooding has again inundated Gushan District in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, just months after a new pumping station was completed. Local councilor Chen Mei-ya has voiced strong criticism, questioning the efficacy of the NT$27 million project funded by the central government.

The Gushan Third Road pumping station, which was finished in June and designed to increase pumping capacity with two new units and two new sludge removal machines, failed to prevent waterlogging during recent heavy rains. Chen highlighted that the station's total pumping capacity was meant to reach 10 cubic meters per second (CMS).

"The flood control project, costing NT$27 million, was just completed. Now, during heavy rains, Gushan Third Road is waterlogged again. What is the problem?" Chen asked, demanding a review and explanation from the city government. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive, systemic solution rather than repeated emergency pumping and repairs after each downpour.

Kaohsiung allocates substantial funds to water management, with the Water Resources Bureau's budget for fiscal year 2026 including approximately NT$4.69 billion for "drainage and flood control." The central government has also provided significant funding through various infrastructure programs, totaling billions of New Taiwan Dollars over the years. Chen stressed that with increasing extreme weather events and intense rainfall, existing flood control standards must be re-evaluated to meet the challenges of a changing climate.

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The flood control project, costing NT$27 million, was just completed. Now, during heavy rains, Gushan Third Road is waterlogged again. What is the problem?