歡迎光臨高雄市新聞局

Keep the flood away - Sewage Network System and Retention Ponds
By Guo-Siang Liao　Photos by Jung-Hui Pao

　　Due to the El-Nino Effect, Taiwan suffers from heavy rainfall after the onslaught of a typhoon. This increase in rainfall coupled with that of sudden heavy storms means that the sewage system is put under great strain, often more than it can take, which results in the common flooding problem that Taiwan faces annually. However, Kaohsiung has managed to avoid this problem in recent years due to the ongoing work of the Kaohsiung City Government in constructing an effective sewage network system and retention ponds. 

　　A need for an effective sewage network system in Kaohsiung was vitally important due to the fact that it will be hosting the 2009 World Games in July of that year - which is also known as "the plum rains season" (monsoon season). In addition to the hosting of the 2009 World Games, numerous other international events will be held in the city due to the state of the art facilities that will stand after the completion of the 2009 World Games. Therefore, not only is the infrastructure geared towards urban development important, but also a trustworthy sewage system which also makes the city more in line with modern international cities.
 
　　Over the past few years, the number of new sewage pipes in Kaohsiung has been increasing, more so than other cities on the island. In relation to the development of the sewage network system plan, the Kaohsiung City Government is targeting 50.7% of the pipes to be connected by the year 2007, in which more than 40% of them will be completed by the end of 2005. At present, the construction of the sewage system is in the 3rd stage of development, which was planned to last from 1999 until 2007.

　　Furthermore, the development of the ecological technology in the wetland areas and the retention pond in Behe Village are working well as draining flood fields, and are contributing to the success of reduced flooding in Kaohsiung. It is worthwhile mentioning that the only automatic flood prevention monitoring system in Taiwan is being used in the areas of Houjin River, Love River, and Cienjien River as a draining control, and in Jinshe Lake, Lotus Lake, and the retention ponds as a storage control. The draining flood hardware system starts is triggered when a storm hits and serves to ease the flood disaster in the lower-lying areas.

　　In the future, the Nanzih sewage network system will be built as a "Build Operation Transfer" (BOT) project, and will cover a total of 300 hectares in the Nanzih and Zuoying Districts. The factory that will house the vital infrastructure of the sewage system will be built more like a park than a traditional style factory and will display artistic sculptures, education, and a playground area with plenty of greenery in an attempt to provide greater harmony between factory and environment.

　　Whilst working hard on the above project, the Kaohsiung City Government will also be working on the drainage system at the Cingpu Channel in order to improve the water quality of the Houjin River. Moreover, the future park-like sewage farm in Nanzih will operate in coordination with the Jhong Kang Wetland Park, the "Ecological Lake" at the National University of Kaohsiung, the Banpin Lake Wetland, the Jhouzih Wetland Park, the Neiweipi Wetland Park, the Behe Village Retention Pond Wetland, and the Jhon Du Wetland Park as a complete wetland network. This will contribute to enhancing the quality of the living environment as well as the tourism industry in Nanzih.