202112/24
On Christmas Day of 2021, the Dongdaxi Environmental Engineering and Environmental Education Center was formally open to the public, realizing a promise Mayor Shiow-Yen Lu’s made in 2019 to the city residents. Taichung City Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu and Tunghai University President Mao-Jiun Wang, together with Taichung Water Resource Bureau Director Shi-yi Fan, Environmental Protection Administration Deputy Minister Hung-Teh Tsai, Professor Hong-Yuan Lee and public officers, lit up the Dongda River to dedicate the Education Center and its vicinity to the citizens. Local residents, shop-owners, legislators and NGO members, plus Razixi Water Culture and Environmental Education Centers mascot “aFa” and Santa joined the celebration. The celebration began with performances of the folk guitar club and the pop-dance club of Tunghai University.
Guests at the Dongdaxi Launching Ceremony
Deputy Mayor Linghu marked the revitalization of Dongdaxi a success through public-private collaboration. With contact bed treatment, the creek now would be able to treat 10 thousand tons of effluent per day. By setting up the Dongdaxi Water Culture and Environmental Education Center, protection of vicinal environment and landscape design, a formerly stinky little creek became a great environmental education venue.
Performance by Tunghai University students
Tunghai University President Mao-Jiun Wang said that the Dongdaxi revitalization project served as a demonstration venue for the university. Courses in the Life Science Department, Landscape Department, Architecture Department and Student Labor Education designed topical subjects to connect with the project. Groups of local middle/elementary school students already came for environmental education. Tunghai University also set up monitoring facility for real-time collection and analysis of environmental changes to make corresponding actions. According to President Wang, the project benefits both the vicinal community and Tunghai University.
Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu makes remarks
Professor Hong-Yuan Lee, a veteran civil engineering expert, said that among the numerous construction projects he involved in, the Dongdaxi project was the most impressive. It was completed in merely two years and, most importantly, changed the overall environment of Tunghai University and its vicinity.
Taichung Water Resource Bureau presents Dongdaxi restoration record
The Dongda Creek was originally a city drain ditch beside Tunghai University. As the business area and night market developed with the growth of Tunghai University, the water quality deteriorated. In 2019, the Taichung City government initiated the Dongdaxi Water Environment and Vicinity Environment Improvement Project with Tunghai University donating part of its campus land nearby the area. The Taichung Water Resource Bureau contributed its expertise in water treatment to set up the contact bed facility and built the Dongdaxi Water Culture and Environmental Education Center. Communication meetings and discussions with local residents and NGOs were organized to ensure the sustainability goal of water purification, environmental improvement, ecological restoration and environmental education.
Dongdaxi environment restoration is a Christmas gift from Taichung City
Taichung Water Resource Bureau Director Shi-yi Fan thanked the Environmental Protection Administration of Executive Yuan for its financial support and the local business owners for agreeing to set up oil traps in their shops. The installation of Dissolved Air Flotation System also improves the water quality of Dongda Creek. Together with the environmental education centers, explanation plates along the trails, and micro water power generator, the project has realized the UN SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation as well as SDG13 Climate Actions.
Dongdaxi restoration is a collaboration between Taichung Water Resource Bureau and Tunghai University
