TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s water supply is expected to remain stable until the end of September due to water savings and conservation efforts, the Water Resources Agency said Thursday.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the government has achieved water savings and reallocation benefits of about 1.1 billion tonnes, despite historically low winter rainfall at 50% to 70% of average levels in reservoir catchment areas. The gains were made through cross-regional transfers, tighter reservoir discharge controls, improved irrigation, and industrial conservation, CNA reported.
Speaking at a briefing, Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said the economic affairs, agriculture, and science ministries had coordinated on the issue ahead of the ongoing plum rain season.
Cho said 16 major pipelines form the backbone of a “pearl string” network that distributes water around the country. Six centers are still under construction.
Recent plum rains brought an estimated 390 million tonnes of water, including more than 49 million tonnes to Tsengwen and Wushantou reservoirs. More than 20 million tonnes went to Nanhua Reservoir, partially easing conditions in the south.
Cho warned that emergency services must remain vigilant due to unstable weather and heavy rainfall. He said an emergency response team was activated on Monday to check flooding at 27 locations, though flooding has since receded in those areas.
Water Resources Agency Director-General Lin Yuan-peng (林元鵬) said allocation and conservation measures, plus strong rainfall, will ensure public water supplies until September, according to CNA.
Lin added that authorities will continue to adjust water allocation strategies to safeguard supplies for households, industry, and agriculture.
