A joint investigation by prosecutors, environmental authorities and police has led to the indictment of the person responsible for an industrial operator. The Environmental Management Administration's Central Regional Environmental Management Center used a new generation of environmental management strategies to address pollution hotspots and pursue deliberate polluters. Monitoring and evidence collection revealed that a metal company in Taichung, identified as Ren [name withheld], had long been discharging wastewater containing substances harmful to human health through a bypass. Under the direction of the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office, the center joined the Third Battalion of the National Police Agency's Seventh Special Police Corps in a task force. Prosecutors recently concluded the investigation and indicted the company's de facto operator, surnamed Huang, under Article 36 of the Water Pollution Control Act. They also sought confiscation of more than NT$5.41 million in illegal proceeds. Underpaid water pollution control fees will be recovered in accordance with the law.
Technology-assisted monitoring exposed the illegal discharges and severe water pollution. The Central Regional Environmental Management Center cross-checked environmental management information system data and used Internet of Things water quality sensors. It found that the company held a wastewater storage permit for wastewater containing nickel, fluoride salts and other harmful substances from metal surface treatment. The wastewater should have been treated, stored and recycled rather than discharged. Instead, at specific times, the company used an unauthorized outlet to bypass its treatment arrangements and discharge wastewater containing fluoride salts and nickel. Samples collected during extended monitoring showed nickel levels as high as 37.5 times the regulatory limit and fluoride salts as high as 9.6 times the limit. Suspected criminal violations of the Water Pollution Control Act were referred to Prosecutor Tu Yuan-chun of the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for investigation.
After establishing the frequency and patterns of the discharges and gathering evidence, the task force conducted an enforcement operation in late March 2025. Investigators found valves and three-way piping installed to redirect wastewater and reduce treatment costs. Untreated wastewater was discharged into a drainage ditch behind the plant and then into receiving waters. False reports of wastewater and sludge volumes concealed the bypass discharges. From 2019 through 2025, the company gained more than NT$5.41 million by avoiding treatment chemical costs, electricity charges and sludge removal and treatment expenses. Prosecutors sought confiscation of these proceeds. Because the company held only a wastewater storage permit, underpaid water pollution control fees arising from its illegal discharges will also be recovered.
The Environmental Management Administration (opens in a new window) urged businesses to operate pollution control equipment properly, treat wastewater appropriately and protect water quality as part of their social responsibility. Joint enforcement against environmental crime will continue, and attempts to evade inspection will not escape the law. In addition to substantial penalties for bypassing treatment, discharging wastewater containing substances harmful to human health above the statutory limits can result in up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to NT$15 million. Penalties for responsible persons or those supervising or planning the conduct may be increased by up to one-half. Long-term illegal gains will also be confiscated or recovered.