Taichung City builds 11 comprehensive water resource recycling centers

Over the past three years, Taichung City's water resource centers have increased from 5 to 11, the wastewater treatment capacity has risen from 110,000 tons to 260,000 tons, and the number of connected households has also grown from 110,000 to 170,000. Water Resources Bureau Director Chou Ting-chang yesterday (the 9th) at the municipal affairs meeting delivered a special report titled "Flipping Old Thinking - Comprehensive Water Resource Recycling Centers." Last year, the Shuinan and Wenshan water resource centers consecutively won the Public Construction Golden Quality Award for Excellence for 2 years running. In addition to affirming the efforts of his colleagues, Mayor Lin Chia-lung also expressed hope that this year the Xingguang Water Resource Center would win the third Golden Quality Award.

Water Resources Bureau Director Chou Ting-chang pointed out in his report that the water resource centers recently built in Taichung City, in addition to purifying wastewater, are also moving toward comprehensive development, breaking through the previous industrial-style closed design and adopting a people-friendly, open approach to create recreational spaces for the public. The areas around the plant sites have become neighborhood parks, the building spaces are provided as neighborhood activity venues, and they integrate sustainable uses such as solar power and reclaimed water, turning NIMBY facilities into YIMBY facilities.

He stated that the central government has approved 6.8 billion yuan in funding for Taichung City's reclaimed water plan, with both the subsidy amount and the water supply volume being the largest in the country. In the future, it can provide 160,000 tons of reclaimed water, accounting for 52% of the national total, realizing the water resource utilization value of turning black water into white gold. In addition, to implement the green energy policy, 3,800 solar panels have been installed at the Futian and Shihkang Dam water resource centers, making it the largest solar power site among city-owned buildings, reducing carbon emissions by 943 metric tons annually, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 94,000 trees, and generating 800,000 in municipal revenue, a step toward a circular economy and a sustainable city.