Taiwan water plant to exclusively serve tech park; locals seek relaxed land rules

The Shanshang Water Purification Plant in Tainan is set to begin exclusively supplying industrial water to the Southern Taiwan Science Park by the end of July, following the completion of its upgrade and downstream pipeline project. This shift in water allocation has prompted local representatives to push for a revision of land use regulations in the Yufeng Weir catchment area.

Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen convened a meeting with local officials and representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Water Resources Agency and other relevant bodies to discuss downgrading the Yufeng Weir catchment area from a Level 1 to a Level 2 environmental sensitive zone. Currently, the area, which supplies water for domestic and public use, is classified as Level 1 under the National Spatial Planning Act, encompassing several districts including Nanhsi, Yuching, Nanhua, Zuojhen, Shanshang, and Danei.

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The catchment area adjustment is not about relaxing environmental protection, nor is it a comprehensive opening for development or direct conversion of farmland to construction land.

Officials from the Water Resources Agency explained that Level 1 classification is typically for catchment areas supplying domestic or public water, while Level 2 applies to those not designated for such purposes. The agency will review the water company's proposal after the Shanshang plant's project is inspected in September, based on the actual water supply targets. Legislator Kuo emphasized that the proposed adjustment is not a relaxation of environmental protection but a recalibration of land management based on the changing water supply function, ensuring conditional and tiered management according to law.

Kuo stressed that any future land use, urban planning, or public construction projects will still be subject to review under relevant laws and regulations by the competent authorities. The environmental protection mechanisms will not be abolished due to the catchment area's classification change. The goal is to promote the development of Tainan's mountainous regions by adjusting land management practices while adhering to legal frameworks and environmental safeguards.

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It is about responding to changes in water supply function, returning land management systems to legal, conditional, and tiered management.