The Treasure of Shalu - Residents defend the River Nanshi

The River Nanshi in Shalu District, Taichung City, is about six kilometers long. Originating in the Dadu Plateau, it absorbs household wastewater and underground springs along the way. On passing through the Nanshikeng stretch with its dense long-branch bamboo forests, the River Nanshi emerges crystal clear with a rich natural ecology, making it one of few rivers in Nanshi Village with such high-quality water. Farmers use it to irrigate farmland, and many residents also wash clothes by the river in the morning, a common sight along the coast.

In recent years, many construction companies in the upper part of the River Nanshi have built a string of residential properties with less-than-ideal drainage planning. A combination of household wastewater discharged into the River Nanshi and garbage brought by weekend tourists has pushed the water quality and surrounding environment to breaking point. Recently, the residents of Nanshi Village and Nanshi Chief of Village jointly demanded that Taichung City Government face up to the environmental problems of the River Nanshi. They hope that by combining the local characteristics of community development, people will be able to enjoy the River Nanshi’s underground springs at the foot of Dadu Mountain for many generations to come.

以下為中文對照

沙鹿瑰寶 居民捍衛南勢溪湧泉

台中市沙鹿區南勢溪長約六公里，發源自大肚山台地，沿途吸納了家庭廢水、地下湧泉，流經南勢坑段兩岸是茂密的長枝竹林，使得溪水清澈見底，豐富的自然生態更是南勢里不可多得的好溪水，除了可供農民灌溉農田，清晨也會有許多的居民在河邊洗衣是沿岸居民常見的景觀。

近幾年南勢溪上游地段許多建商陸續興建房子，但排水系統缺少完善的規畫，家庭廢水排入南勢溪，加上假日遊客帶來的垃圾，使得南勢溪的水質及周邊環境備受考驗。最近南勢里居民與里長聯署，要求台中市政府正視南勢溪的環境問題，希望能結合社區發展在地特色，讓南勢溪湧泉能夠在大肚山腳下，源源不絕的流傳下去。