Taiwan's Toufen City plans to repurpose artificial wetland for parks and sports facilities

Toufen City's Dongxing artificial wetland, spanning 5.6 hectares, is slated for potential repurposing as its wastewater treatment capabilities have declined. The wetland, established in 2013 as Miaoli County's first wetland park, primarily handled domestic sewage from several local villages.

County Councilor Chen Kuang-hsuan proposed the de-designation and revitalization of the site. He cited the rising rate of sewer connections in Toufen as the reason for the wetland's reduced functional capacity. The Environmental Protection Bureau has also assessed the possibility of phasing out its current use, though the treatment ponds remain under the Ministry of Environment's supervision.

A special committee, including councilors Chen Pin-an, Tseng Wen-hsueh, and Chiu Yu-hsing's teams, convened to discuss the proposal. They recommended that the Environmental Protection Bureau draft a usage plan to seek delisting from the Ministry of Environment and expedite the de-designation process.

Furthermore, relevant county departments, including water resources, agriculture, education, industrial development, and digital affairs, along with the Toufen City Office, are tasked with a comprehensive review of Toufen's overall urban development plan. This review will inform the planning of new facilities such as parks, sports fields, and parking areas, aiming to provide more diverse recreational and utility spaces for county residents.