Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant EIA Passes Preliminary Review, Commits to Quarterly Oyster Monitoring
The environmental impact assessment for the Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant project passed its second preliminary review. This project, promoted by the Water Resources Agency, aims to meet the increasing water demand in the Chiayi area due to climate change and industrial park development. The plant, to be built within Budai Commercial Port, is expected to be completed by 2032, producing 100,000 cubic meters of water daily. The EIA committee requested enhanced impact assessment on oyster farming and quarterly monitoring.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 16:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 17:01 (23 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 17:39 (37 min after Collected)
Taipei, April 14 (Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-feng) - To cope with climate change, the "Great South New Silicon Valley" initiative, and industrial park development, water demand in the Chiayi area is increasing. The Water Resources Agency's Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant project today passed its second preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) review, committing to quarterly oyster farming monitoring.
The Environmental Protection Administration today convened the second preliminary review meeting for the "Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant Construction Project Environmental Impact Statement" special committee.
The developer for this case is the Southern Region Water Resources Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Water Resources Agency. The plan is to construct a seawater desalination plant within the north breakwater of Budai Commercial Port in Budai Township, Chiayi County, covering an area of approximately 6 hectares. This includes the "seawater desalination plant and related ancillary facilities," "water intake and discharge facilities," and "plant area landscaping and green spaces."
The current status of the north breakwater of Budai Commercial Port is a sea area, which will be reclaimed. Construction is expected to complete land reclamation by June 2029, and the desalination plant construction will immediately enter the construction phase. The seawater desalination plant is estimated to be completed and produce water by 2032, with a production capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day.
The developer pointed out that the current daily water supply capacity in the Chiayi area is about 358,000 tons, with a demand of about 320,000 tons. However, with the future inclusion of water demand growth from the "Great South New Silicon Valley" and industrial parks, the estimated daily water demand by 2041 will be about 424,000 tons.
During the first preliminary review meeting, EIA committee members suggested strengthening the impact assessment on nearby oyster farming during construction and operation. Today, they further requested quarterly monitoring frequency for oyster farming during construction and operation to clarify changes.
The committee also requested that construction earthwork be balanced, with no external transport of earthwork, and stacking height not exceeding 3 meters.
The developer committed to complying. This case passed the preliminary review and will be sent to the EIA plenary meeting for review.
In addition, the EIA committee also suggested that the desalination plant's brine should be evaluated for its feasibility as a demonstration of brine reuse, considering strategic materials and net-zero carbon emissions. The developer responded that it would cooperate with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Industrial Technology Research Institute to conduct research on brine resource utilization. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150414
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The Environmental Protection Administration today convened the second preliminary review meeting for the "Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant Construction Project Environmental Impact Statement" special committee.
The developer for this case is the Southern Region Water Resources Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Water Resources Agency. The plan is to construct a seawater desalination plant within the north breakwater of Budai Commercial Port in Budai Township, Chiayi County, covering an area of approximately 6 hectares. This includes the "seawater desalination plant and related ancillary facilities," "water intake and discharge facilities," and "plant area landscaping and green spaces."
The current status of the north breakwater of Budai Commercial Port is a sea area, which will be reclaimed. Construction is expected to complete land reclamation by June 2029, and the desalination plant construction will immediately enter the construction phase. The seawater desalination plant is estimated to be completed and produce water by 2032, with a production capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day.
The developer pointed out that the current daily water supply capacity in the Chiayi area is about 358,000 tons, with a demand of about 320,000 tons. However, with the future inclusion of water demand growth from the "Great South New Silicon Valley" and industrial parks, the estimated daily water demand by 2041 will be about 424,000 tons.
During the first preliminary review meeting, EIA committee members suggested strengthening the impact assessment on nearby oyster farming during construction and operation. Today, they further requested quarterly monitoring frequency for oyster farming during construction and operation to clarify changes.
The committee also requested that construction earthwork be balanced, with no external transport of earthwork, and stacking height not exceeding 3 meters.
The developer committed to complying. This case passed the preliminary review and will be sent to the EIA plenary meeting for review.
In addition, the EIA committee also suggested that the desalination plant's brine should be evaluated for its feasibility as a demonstration of brine reuse, considering strategic materials and net-zero carbon emissions. The developer responded that it would cooperate with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Industrial Technology Research Institute to conduct research on brine resource utilization. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150414
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FAQ
What is the purpose of constructing the Chiayi Seawater Desalination Plant?
It is to meet the increasing water demand in the Chiayi area due to climate change and industrial park development.
What measures will be taken regarding the impact on oyster farming?
Oyster farming will be monitored quarterly during the construction and operation periods.