Taiwan County Implements First-Ever Livestock Wastewater Controls

Changhua County is taking a pioneering step in environmental protection by introducing the nation's first total volume control for livestock wastewater in the Old Zhuoshui River basin. This initiative, detailed in a draft regulation under the "Water Pollution Control Act," aims to address the persistent pollution and foul odors plaguing the river, often referred to as the "Mother River of Changhua."

The Old Zhuoshui River, a crucial irrigation waterway in southern Changhua, suffers from natural deficiencies in upstream water sources and slow, shallow flow downstream. Compounding these issues is the dense concentration of livestock farming in the middle and upper reaches, leading to significant contamination from domestic and livestock wastewater. Despite existing control measures like inspections and continuous monitoring stations, some areas remain severely polluted.

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This will become the first county in the country to strengthen total volume control for livestock wastewater discharge. The county government wants to use practical actions to improve the water quality and odor of the Old Zhuoshui River.

The new regulation designates a 45.9 square kilometer control zone along the river and its tributaries. For new livestock farms, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) limit for effluent will be tightened to 60 milligrams per liter. Furthermore, livestock manure and urine resource utilization rates must reach 20% of total wastewater volume. Existing operations will be required to gradually increase this rate to between 15% and 20%.

Crucially, the draft explicitly prohibits operators within the control zone from increasing their discharge of BOD by expanding livestock numbers or wastewater volume. The penalties for violations are severe: illegal discharge will result in a reduction of approved wastewater and stocking volumes. Repeat offenders face the permanent revocation of their wastewater discharge operating permits, sending a strong message about the county's commitment to improving water quality and promoting sustainable livestock farming.

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The key focus of this control is to manage the total discharge of key water quality indicators such as BOD, thereby promoting the resource utilization of livestock wastewater, facilitating the sustainable development of the livestock industry, and reducing the burden of river pollution from wastewater.