No, straight piping—discharging untreated sewage directly into water bodies—violates Taiwan’s Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA) and Waste Disposal Act. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) enforces strict penalties, including fines up to NT$6 million (≈US$190,000) and criminal liability for repeat offenders. Recent 2026 EPA amendments tighten monitoring of coastal and riverine discharge points, mandating real-time reporting for vessels and industrial sites.
Key Regulations for Straight Piping in Taiwan
- Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA) §11: Prohibits discharging untreated sewage into waters under EPA jurisdiction, including rivers, lakes, and territorial seas. Violations trigger administrative fines and mandatory corrective orders.
- Waste Disposal Act §27: Classifies straight piping as illegal waste disposal, subjecting offenders to criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code (Art. 244-1) for environmental endangerment.
- Port State Control (PSC) 2026 Protocol: Requires ships in Taiwanese ports to submit sewage treatment logs; non-compliance results in detention and NT$1–3 million fines per incident.