Taiwan: Officials continuing water rationing in parts of western Taiwan through May /update 3

Event

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is maintaining its water conservation scheme in parts of western Taiwan through at least May amid ongoing reduced rainfall. Northern Changhua, Taichung, and Miaoli counties remain under a red alert, the highest level, and authorities restrict water supply in specific areas twice per week. The Water Resources Agency (WRA) is suspending water supply on the following days:

• Tuesday and Wednesday: Beitun, Central, East, North, South, and West districts, Taichung; Changhua City, except eastern suburbs; Toufen City, Zhunan and Guangyuan science parks, Miaoli; and Xiangshan District, Hsinchu City

• Thursday and Friday: Parts of Dajia, Houli, Longjing, areas of Qingshui, Shalu, Waipu, and Wuqi districts, Taichung; eastern suburbs of Changhua City; and Xhunan Township and Toufen Industrial Park in Miaoli

In areas not under water restrictions, officials will require customers in industrial areas, including Hsinchu Science Park and technology production zones in Houli District, Taichung, to reduce water consumption by 15 percent. Water customers in the three affected counties that consume more than 1,000 cubic meters (35,315 cubic feet) of water monthly must reduce water use by 13 percent.

The WRA has placed Chiayi, Hsinchu, Tainan, and Kaohsiung under orange alert, the second-highest level. Officials will continue to reduce water pressure 24 hours per day in Hsinchu, Tainan, and Kaohsiung and 22:00-06:00 daily in Chiayi County. Authorities also require industrial clients to reduce water usage by 11 percent in Tainan and Kaohsiung and 13 percent in Hsinchu. Major water consumers in all four areas must restrict usage by 20 percent.

Most of Changhua, Yunlin, Nantou, and Taoyuan counties are under yellow alert, the second-lowest tier. Officials are reducing water pressure in these locations 22:00-06:00 daily, though authorities are rationing water 24 hours per day in Taoyuan. Industrial clients must lower consumption by seven percent.

Reduced water pressure is unlikely to impact residents significantly. However, some business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that rely on large quantities of municipal water for operations. Authorities have not announced when the rationing scheme will end, but the measures will likely continue until at least May, when rainfall typically increases.

Advice

Minimize water use during the rationing. Confirm and stock up on alternative water supplies for business purposes. Water pressure and quality may be poor after normal service resumes daily; consider running taps for several minutes before using water.