A piece of farmland in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, purchased by a developer for the construction of a parking lot, was recently found to have been filled with large amounts of asphalt waste. Oil from the asphalt has reportedly seeped out, leaving a thick oily film floating on nearby water sources and irrigation channels. Many local farmers have been severely affected and have hung protest banners condemning the pollution for threatening their crops and livelihoods.

Following an investigation by the relevant authorities, it was discovered that the developer had begun land preparation without approval and had illegally used asphalt waste as backfill material. The Transportation Department has ordered the company to remove the asphalt by mid-April; otherwise, its development plan will be revoked.

Asphalt Oil Pollutes Water Sources, Severely Affecting Farmers’ Livelihoods

Farmers in Xizhi District have recently expressed anger and concern over the contamination of the Hengke Creek, which they rely on for irrigation. The pollution was caused by a contractor dumping large amounts of asphalt waste, allowing oil to seep into the water system.

Most farmers in the area depend on the creek for irrigating their crops. However, the irrigation channels are now covered in oily residue, causing many to worry that their vegetables may become contaminated. As a result, some farmers have resorted to pumping water from further upstream in the Hengke Creek for irrigation.

Many of the farmers lease the land they cultivate, but because of the contaminated water supply, they have been forced to leave their fields fallow. If they can no longer continue farming, they may have to return the land to the landlords, putting their livelihoods at serious risk.

“We Don’t Even Dare Use the Water” — Farmers Fear an Irrigation Crisis

According to the public television program Our Island, the site was originally designated as agricultural and pastoral land, covering more than 3,000 ping (approximately 10,000 square meters). Last year, the developer applied to the New Taipei City Transportation Department to convert the land into a parking lot, and earlier this March received approval for a soil and water conservation construction plan from the Agriculture Department.

However, before the soil and water conservation work had been completed, the developer allegedly rushed to level the land and used asphalt waste as fill material, despite not yet having obtained final approval from the Transportation Department. This led to oil contamination of the water supply. Under high temperatures and direct sunlight, the asphalt waste may release even more oil, worsening the pollution in the irrigation channels. Many people are concerned that conditions could become even more severe during the summer months.

Local farmers rely heavily on the irrigation channels to grow vegetables. Some reported that the water in the channels had already changed color and feared it could damage crops. Others warned that if the pollution spreads into the Hengke Creek, fish and aquatic life could also die.

Facing the discolored waterways, many farmers expressed deep concern. They questioned how they could continue growing crops when the irrigation channels were filled with oil. Some said they could not even tell whether what was being poured onto their vegetables was water or oil, lamenting helplessly, “We don’t even dare use the water we pump up.” Their frustration led them to hang protest banners accusing the developer of polluting local land and water resources.

Developer Fined and Ordered to Remove Asphalt for Unauthorized Land Preparation

On March 10, authorities found that the developer had failed to follow the approved soil and water conservation plan and had also exceeded the permitted construction boundaries. The Agriculture Department imposed a fine of NT$60,000.

In addition, because agricultural land is prohibited from being filled with “recycled asphalt,” the Environmental Protection Bureau launched an investigation under the Resource Recycling Act, with penalties reaching up to NT$150,000.

The New Taipei City Transportation Department stated that the developer must remove the asphalt by mid-April. Failure to comply within the deadline will result in the revocation of the parking lot development plan.

Recycled Asphalt Poses Potential Environmental Risks

Experts noted that recycled asphalt aggregate often varies greatly in quality and may contain mixed solvents and other substances. Compared with standard asphalt, recycled asphalt can contain carcinogenic compounds such as naphthalene. While ordinary asphalt tends to solidify more easily at room temperature, oil leaking from recycled asphalt may more readily seep into water sources, potentially causing serious environmental contamination.

Village Chief Condemns Illegal Land Preparation and Calls on Government to Protect Farmers’ Rights

Hengke Village Chief Chan Ching-shan stated that land leveling itself is not the issue. However, asphalt waste is classified as industrial waste and should never be used to fill agricultural land. Furthermore, the developer began land preparation before receiving official approval, making the actions not only illegal but also harmful to the land and nearby farmers’ livelihoods.

Chan urged the authorities to take the issue seriously and ensure that the water and farmland on which local farmers depend are protected from further damage, so their rights and livelihoods will not be compromised.

According to news reports, the developer admitted that inadequate soil and water conservation measures had caused major impacts on surrounding farmers. The company expressed regret and stated that it would cooperate with the city government’s instructions and complete improvements within the required timeframe.