Taiwan aims to step up wastewater recycling

Wastewater recycling is set to become an integral part of daily life in Taiwan and will help the nation achieve sustainable development, Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang told a news conference today while presenting the results of a wastewater treatment demonstration plant at the Nanzi Export Processing Zone in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung City.

"Taiwan has only one-third of Japan and South Korea's freshwater per capita. Given the scarcity of our resources, it is imperative that we start using more recycled water," Shih was quoted in an article carried by Taiwan Today.

According to Shih, the NTD67-million (USD2.26 million) plant is capable of treating 4,000 tons of wastewater and producing 1,800 tons of recycled water for industrial use each day. The MOEA-planned facility began operations in January after a two-year process of design, construction and testing.

"Although capacity is modest in comparison with other facilities in the region, it will spearhead Taiwan's efforts to use more treated water in a variety of areas," Shih said. "We also urge firms that consume large amounts of water to install recycling facilities and reduce stress on Taiwan's resources."

MOEA statistics show that Taiwan produces 1.8 billion tons of industrial wastewater per annum, about 65 percent of which is recycled. The Nanzi plant is expected to lift this to 75 percent, according to the Water Resources Agency.