Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen Orders Fine and Punishment After Sanitation Worker Caught Dumping Wastewater
A sanitation worker in Taichung was filmed dumping kitchen waste water from a garbage truck into a roadside drain, leading to immediate disciplinary action and fines ordered by Mayor Lu Shiow-yen.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 13:36
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 14:01 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 14:36 (34 min after Collected)
Taichung City sanitation workers were caught on camera dumping kitchen waste water from a garbage truck into a roadside drainage ditch. Several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilors demanded an apology from Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen today. Mayor Lu stated that the workers took an inappropriate shortcut and will not only receive a demerit but will also be fined.
A video published on social media showed a sanitation worker from the Environmental Protection Bureau dumping waste water directly into a drain. DPP councilors Wang Li-ren, Lin Qi-feng, Shi Zhi-chang, and candidate Chen Xin-xi held a press conference at City Hall, demanding political responsibility and an apology from Lu, as well as a solution to the issue.
Wang and others pointed out that there is a standard operating procedure (SOP) for treating wastewater from garbage trucks. Dumping it into drains is a violation of the law by those who are supposed to enforce it, suggesting a management failure in Lu's administration.
Mayor Lu responded to media inquiries by explaining that all garbage trucks are equipped with wastewater tanks to reduce the moisture content of trash. It has been strictly ordered that this wastewater must be transported back to relevant units for processing. She stated that the workers involved will be severely disciplined and fined between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000 according to the Waste Disposal Act.
The Environmental Protection Bureau clarified that the truck belonged to the Beitun District team. According to regulations, if the water tank is full before the truck finishes its rounds, it should return to the depot to discharge the water. The bureau confirmed the violation and has issued demerits to the driver and assistant staff.
A video published on social media showed a sanitation worker from the Environmental Protection Bureau dumping waste water directly into a drain. DPP councilors Wang Li-ren, Lin Qi-feng, Shi Zhi-chang, and candidate Chen Xin-xi held a press conference at City Hall, demanding political responsibility and an apology from Lu, as well as a solution to the issue.
Wang and others pointed out that there is a standard operating procedure (SOP) for treating wastewater from garbage trucks. Dumping it into drains is a violation of the law by those who are supposed to enforce it, suggesting a management failure in Lu's administration.
Mayor Lu responded to media inquiries by explaining that all garbage trucks are equipped with wastewater tanks to reduce the moisture content of trash. It has been strictly ordered that this wastewater must be transported back to relevant units for processing. She stated that the workers involved will be severely disciplined and fined between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000 according to the Waste Disposal Act.
The Environmental Protection Bureau clarified that the truck belonged to the Beitun District team. According to regulations, if the water tank is full before the truck finishes its rounds, it should return to the depot to discharge the water. The bureau confirmed the violation and has issued demerits to the driver and assistant staff.