Taiwan: Officials extending water rationing in parts of western Taiwan from May 21 /update 4

Event

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is extending its water conservation scheme to additional areas of western Taiwan amid ongoing reduced rainfall. Effective May 21, the Water Resources Agency (WRA) is placing Taoyuan City and New Taipei City’s Linkou District under orange alert, the second-highest level in a four-tiered rating system. The WRA has also placed Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Hsinchu under orange alert status. Industrial, commercial, and residential customers in the designated areas are required to reduce their water consumption. Customers in locations under orange alerts are also subject to reduced water pressure

Miaoli, Taichung, and northern Changhua remain under a red alert, the highest level, and authorities restrict water supply in specific areas twice per week. From June 1, areas under red alerts will have their water cut off for a total of 56 hours per week. Officials plan to designate Hsinchu County as a red area from June 1 unless unexpectedly heavy rainfall occurs. Officials require industrial customers throughout red alert areas to reduce water consumption by 15 percent. Moreover, any customers in red alert areas that consume more than 1,000 cubic meters (35,315 cubic feet) of water monthly must reduce water use by 13 percent.

Most of Changhua, along with Yunlin and Nantou, are under yellow alert, the second-lowest tier. Officials are reducing water pressure in these locations 22:00-06:00 daily. 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 probably remain in place until at least early June depending on regional rainfall. If western Taiwan continues to experience unusually dry conditions, further water restrictions could be imposed.

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.