Danshui River clean enough for kayaking: Mayor Hau

High dikes and polluted waters have forbidden access to the river for leisure. "The river is open," said the mayor, who proclaimed an end to the off-limits status of one of the longest rivers on Taiwan.

Over the past year, Hau said, the water quality has been greatly improved. "We had the best of quality in 30 years," he said. That's the reason why Hau would be able to kayak and let Taipei-ites get closer to the waters of their river.

Starting in July or September at the latest, Hau said, kayaking and other water leisure activities will be allowed in the Dajia section of the Keelung River, which joins the Danshui River near Shilin.

"Kayaking training will start there, then," Hau pointed out. That section of the river is much less polluted, albeit not clean enough for swimming.

At any rate, the Danshui River, in particular in its Dadaocheng section, is good enough for kayaking and boating during the flow tide. The river isn't deep enough during the ebb tide, however.

Moreover, the river doesn't smell at the flow tide, and that's good for leisure along its north bank. The municipal government will build cycling and pedestrian paths along the bank, which will be dotted by cafes and snack bars, Hau said.

"What is good for the special municipality of Taipei," Hau said, "is that the waters of the Danshui River are clean enough for its people to enjoy themselves."

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