NANTOU (TVBS News) — The Nantou County Government (南投縣) announced plans on Wednesday (Dec. 25) to release environmental impact simulation results in mid-January. It will also arrange visits to incinerator facilities in other counties to address local concerns about constructing an incinerator in Ximin Village (新民村), Mingjian Township (名間鄉), aimed at tackling 260,000 tons of accumulated waste.
The proposal has sparked protests from residents worried about potential pollution. Li Yi-shu (李易書), director of the county's Environmental Protection Bureau (南投縣環保局), stated that Ximin Village is deemed the most suitable site due to its convenient transportation, complete land, distance from hospitals and schools, and state ownership. The site selection was based on an objective evaluation process among six locations. Nonetheless, residents express concerns about air and water pollution, health impacts from particulates, and effects on local crops like tea leaves.
To alleviate these concerns, the bureau conducted environmental impact simulations. The incinerator's location in the southern part of Mingjian Township is separate from the northern agricultural area. Simulations suggest emissions might reach the agricultural zone only in summer, but favorable atmospheric conditions would significantly reduce concentration levels. Taiwan has seven incinerators on farmland with no pollution incidents over 20 years.
The Ministry of Environment (環境部) has tightened emission standards by 10%, making the Nantou incinerator the strictest in Taiwan. The facility will not discharge wastewater, as leachate will be incinerated, and wastewater treatment facilities will recycle water for greening and irrigation.