TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei’s Environmental Protection Department said Tuesday that construction waste from the southern section of the Taipei Metro Circular Line was dumped into a section of the Jingmei River in the city’s Wenshan District.
On Monday, a drainage outlet in the district released a large amount of white wastewater into the river. The department inspected the site on Monday and Tuesday and compared it with sewer system maps, confirming the discharge was linked to metro construction, per CNA.
The department said the construction should have prevented muddy water from overflowing. The agency will impose fines of up to NT$3 million (US$98,000) under the Water Pollution Control Act. The overflow also contaminated nearby water pipes and drainage systems, and the department has ordered the contractor to carry out cleanup.
However, the city’s Rapid Transit Systems Department countered the claim Tuesday, saying that wastewater from the construction site was first treated in settling ponds. The agency added that the construction site is about 500 meters from the river, making it unlikely that any waste reached the water.
The rapid transit department also noted that during Monday’s inspection, staff did not observe large amounts of muddy water leaving the site. The agency said the runoff may have been caused by rainwater washing soil from exposed areas upstream. It added that it will require the contractor to improve hygiene and muddy water management at the site.
The Circular Line’s southern section will be underground, running from Taipei Zoo Station on the Wenhu Line through Wenshan District and Xindian District in New Taipei, connecting with Dapinglin Station on the Green Line. The 5.73-kilometer section will add six new stations.
The construction, costing NT$23.2 billion, began in May and is expected to be completed by 2031. Major challenges include complex geological conditions, sharp curves, a river crossing, and densely packed utility lines in certain sections.
