"The main rivers in Chiayi County, including Puzi River, Beigang River, and Bazhang River, suffer from mixed pollution from industrial, domestic sewage, and livestock farming. In order to promote pollution prevention and control in the river basin, the Chiayi County Environmental Protection Bureau commissioned Tech Excellent Company to execute the 'Chiayi County Livestock Inspection and Control of Ammonia Nitrogen Wastewater Recovery Promotion Plan for the Year 2023' (hereinafter referred to as 'this project'). During the project period, efforts were made to enhance monitoring and management of livestock farming within the jurisdiction, guide the resource utilization of livestock wastewater, and strive to promote pollution elimination and improvement of water quality. The project was executed from January 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023, achieving an overall completion rate of 100% for the entire period (statistics from January 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023). The project's work items include pollution source inspection and sampling, inspection of illegal discharge violations, unidentified pipelines related to livestock farming, inspection and sealing operations, expanding the use of livestock manure and slurry, and conducting explanatory meetings. The details of these are explained as follows:
1. Inspection and Sealing of Unidentified Pipelines related to Livestock Farming: Eleven unidentified pipelines were discovered. Upon discovery, the inspection team immediately requested explanations from the operators. If the operators could not clearly explain the purpose or legality of the pipelines, they were deemed unidentified or clandestine. Operators were then required to seal or remove these pipelines. All discovered unidentified pipelines were related to 'suspected diversion discharge pipelines and required removal by operators.'
2. Immediate Monitoring and Inspection Operations for Pollution: Forty monitoring points were established, including locations in Mingxiong Drain, Liugou Drain (Beigang River Basin), Zhongyangzi Drain Upstream, Bazhang River Bridge Upstream (Station), Xijie Bridge Upstream (Bureau Station), Liujiao Drain (Guangnan Bridge Upstream), Puzi River Tailin Bridge Upstream, Puzi River Yamu Liaor Drain Upstream, Yunjia Bridge Upstream, and Guanguang Bridge Upstream. Each point was monitored for at least seven days, totaling 477 days of monitoring, with nine instances of exceeding discharge standards identified. Subsequent monitoring was conducted in pollution hotspots to track discharge periods, facilitating inspection and control.
3. Licensing Review and Management of Livestock Farms: The project completed 84 license review operations and 237 inspections for the second half of the year 2022. Additionally, 1,274 computer documentation and maintenance operations were completed, including 1,046 case filings for water pollution patrols, 193 license document filings, and 35 filings for reports and dispositions. Regarding listed livestock farms required to obtain wastewater management plans, there are currently 45 farms within the county's jurisdiction, ranging from 20 to 199 heads of livestock. Results from on-site tracking: 26 farms had their wastewater management plans approved, 11 farms cancelled their livestock farm registrations (delisted), 2 farms reduced their livestock numbers to below 20 heads, 5 farms temporarily suspended operations, and 1 farm switched to raising sheep. Continuous tracking of temporarily suspended farms during the project period did not find any cases of resumed operations.
4. Livestock Wastewater Discharge Inspection and Penalties: Completed 1,051 inspections for listed livestock farms and provided guidance for 218 inspections for unlisted duck and goose farms. Sampling was conducted for 235 cases, leading to 31 instances of penalties with a total fine of 398,000 NTD. Additionally, seven cases are in the statement of opinion procedure.
5. Evaluation of Business Wastewater Treatment Facility Functions: Submitted a list of 20 recommendations for wastewater treatment equipment functionality assessments. The Environmental Protection Bureau selected and approved 10 business units for functional evaluations. The preliminary evaluation took place on March 7, 2023, with subsequent reviews on May 23, 26, and June 1, 2023. The initial results report was completed in July 2023, followed by a functional evaluation meeting on August 18, 2023.
6. Promotion of Livestock Wastewater Ammonia Nitrogen Recovery: Following the guidelines provided by the Environmental Protection Administration, work was carried out on drafting project proposals. As of October 31, 2023, ten applications have been approved. Demonstrative farms collectively raised 198 cattle and 10,261 pigs. The total area for irrigation was about 29.13 hectares, with an annual application of approximately 16,788.61 tons. Crops included rice, forage corn, dent corn, edamame, lotus seeds, camphor trees, Miscanthus, bitter melon, pumpkin, pineapple, guava, mango, etc.
7. Strengthening Inspection and Control of Non-Utilized Livestock Farms: In 2023, approximately 100 small-scale livestock farms (less than 5% resource utilization) did not engage in resource utilization. To enhance inspections, each farm underwent at least one inspection and sampling. A total of 294 inspections were carried out, with 132 samples collected, resulting in 16 instances of livestock farms violating water pollution laws. Through guidance, five farms newly applied or modified their slurry and sludge plans, three farms applied for wastewater recycling, and two farms, after application, reached the 5% resource utilization ratio.
8. Evaluation of Efficiencies for Slurry and Sludge Irrigation:
• From 2016 to 2022, Chiayi County had 113 approved slurry and sludge land fertilization applications. Statistics from these applications indicated an annual irrigation area of about 419 hectares, with an annual irrigation volume of about 273,010 tons. Crops irrigated included rice, Miscanthus, corn, and sugarcane. The estimated reduction in river pollution was approximately 1,663.409 tons/year for BOD, 64.117 tons/year for ammonia nitrogen, and 2,465.744 tons/year for suspended solids (SS).
• For approved slurry and sludge users, actual irrigation totaled 206,038 tons up to November, while the required amount was approximately 244,833 tons, achieving an 84.2% completion rate.
• In the upstream of Heping Bridge, the resource utilization ratio increased from 14.63% in 2022 to 15.13% in 2023. The approved irrigation volume increased by 1,258 tons/year, and it was estimated that, excluding temporary suspension cases, actual irrigation could reduce ammonia nitrogen by 8,394.95 kg/year.
• Xikou Township had 19 livestock farms that completely applied for resource utilization, with an irrigation area of 79 hectares and an annual irrigation volume of 88,324 tons. Actual reductions were estimated at about 255.7 tons/year for BOD, 301.5 tons/year for SS, and 8.96 tons/year for ammonia nitrogen. Comparing irrigation volumes between 2022 and 2023 (January to November), there was an increase of 8,687 tons/year, and resource utilization irrigation increased by 29.47%.
9. Promotion of Livestock Wastewater Ammonia Nitrogen Recovery:
• Three seminars were conducted, including sessions on promoting livestock manure resource utilization, showcasing examples, livestock manure irrigation and cultivation, matching agricultural land platforms, demonstrations on crop irrigation using livestock manure, and promoting the establishment of livestock manure resource utilization transport fleets, in addition to advertising the 'National Livestock Manure Resource Utilization Website.'
• Three subtitle advertisements were aired through local TV stations, focusing on the challenges faced in the current stage of livestock manure resource utilization and the incentives available for applicants.
• Fourteen livestock farms were provided with signboards indicating their approved slurry and sludge utilization.
10. Other Collaborative Activities:
• 22 promotional posts were made via the Environmental Protection Bureau's Facebook fan page to promote livestock manure resource utilization, aiming to enlighten related businesses to avoid repeating mistakes and to showcase the bureau's dedication to environmental preservation.
• In 2022, assistance was provided for three applications for the purchase of slurry and sludge collection and irrigation equipment for livestock farms. The farms included Lifu Livestock Farm (3 locations), Haoyao Livestock Farm, and Chen Xingchuan Livestock Farm. These were completed on November 23, 2022, August 4, 2023, and November 28, 2023, respectively. Furthermore, assistance was given in applying for the operation plan for slurry and sludge irrigation for Guangxin Livestock Farm and Fulong Breed Farm. These were approved by the Ministry of Environment on September 27, 2023, and November 22, 2023, respectively, and were expected to be completed and accepted by the end of December.
Additionally, concerning subsidies for the installation of livestock manure resource utilization facilities for large-scale farms to handle other farms' manure (known as supporting large farms on behalf of small farms or centralized treatment), Huang Kexiang's Livestock Farm began construction on August 15, 2023. The overall project was completed by the end of October, but due to the need for further review after submission, the completion verification is pending."
