Pig Farmer Sued for Wastewater Dumping
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Social
The New Taipei City Governmentimposed a NT$6 million (US$191,400) fine on a pig farm that it said illegally dumped wastewater into the Linkou River
New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department Division director Sun Chung-wei said that it was the first time the city government had imposed the maximum fine stipulated in the Water Pollution Control Act since the act was amended in February to include stiffer penalties.
Sun said the farm, in the special municipality's Linkou District, had allowed its water treatment system to fall into a state of disrepair that had rendered it virtually useless, and it has been discharging wastewater from an illegal outflow pipe concealed in bushes by the river for at least a year.
The farm has not complied with the city government's order to update its wastewater treatment system, apparently over the cost such a move would require, he said.
He said that residents living near the river over the past year filed more than 30 complaints alleging the dumping of wastewater, and the city over the past year fined the farm's proprietors seven times, amounting to about NT$1 million.
The farm's permit allows it to raise no more than 2,200 pigs, but it has more than 3,000 now and at one time had nearly 6,000, Sun said.
The maximum fine was imposed because the establishment is unwilling to make improvements and has continued to pollute the river despite receiving guidance from the New Taipei City Agriculture Department.
The wastewater, contaminated with pig effluent, could destroy the river's entire ecosystem, as it lowers oxygen content in the water, stifling the fish, he said.
In addition, the manure can provide the conditions for anaerobic bacteria to thrive.
"The bacteria release sulfur oxides, which turn the water black and give it a terrible odor. Eventually, the water might resemble ditch slime," he said.
Farm owner Hung Tien-ting is disputing the fine, saying that the Agriculture Department gave his facility until September to make improvements, adding that he plans to appeal.
Sun dismissed Hung's statement, saying that the prerequisite for any establishment to receive guidance from agencies of the city government is that it must first stop causing pollution.
Source: Taipei Times
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