TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Nankan River in Taoyuan turned into a “bubble river” for the second time in four days on Monday (Oct. 14), and the city's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued fines and ordered improvements by a strict deadline. 

On National Day (Oct. 10), a large amount of white foam was found floating on the surface of the Nankan River along a section of Zhongyang Street in Taoyuan District, per CNA. After an investigation by the DEP, it was found that the foam was caused by wastewater being improperly discharged from a car wash. On Monday, the "bubble river" reappeared and was traced back to the same car wash.

The DEP presented a work report Monday during a regular meeting of the Taoyuan City Council. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) City Councilor Huang Chiung-hui (黃瓊慧) said on National Day, large amounts of white foam appeared in the Nankan River. 

Huang questioned whether the business had made improvements. Huang urged the DEP to ensure that the polluting business, which violated the Water Pollution Control Act (水污染防治法), clean up the pollutants.

Huang also said that on National Day, a construction site was found discharging large amounts of muddy water into the river after excavating a basement, without proper treatment. The DEP had also discovered in September that a catering business along the Nankan River repeatedly discharged oily wastewater into the river. 

In addition, a dyeing and finishing factory regularly discharged exhaust and wastewater. The DEP has records of pollution caused by businesses along the Nankan River, and Huang called for the installation of real-time monitoring equipment.

KMT City Councilor Chien Lung (錢龍) said that, in addition to the two foam discharge incidents along the Nankan River, there were also several cases of water pollution in Taoyuan's Luzhu District, including an oil spill from the CPC Taoyuan Refinery earlier this month. The continuous pollution of streams in the jurisdiction has overwhelmed inspection personnel. 

Chien suggested that the DEP use an AI-based environmental pollution detection system to identify issues earlier and improve inspection effectiveness.

After Monday's inspection, it was found that the same car wash was responsible. A malfunctioning float valve in the water tank caused water overflow, which carried concentrated cleaning agents from the ground into the roadside ditches and eventually downstream into the Nankan River.

The DEP said these incidents violated the Water Pollution Control Act. A fine of up to NT$3 million (US$93,000) will be imposed on the car wash.

The car wash has been ordered to complete improvements by Oct. 18. In an emergency response, the DEP dispatched water trucks Monday to remove the foam along the riverbank of the Nankan River to prevent the pollution from spreading.