07 Jun 2021 | 09:33 AM UTC
Taiwan: Officials ease water restrictions for western counties as of June 7 /update 6
Authorities ease water restrictions in western counties in Taiwan as of June 7. Industrial consumption, other controls ongoing.
Event
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has eased water rationing measures in several counties and cities in western Taiwan as of June 7 due to increased rainfall. Authorities have ended water rationing two days per week in Miaoli, Taichung, and northern Changhua counties. Officials also ended all water restrictions in Kaohsiung and most of Changhua, Yunlin, and Nantou counties.
Miaoli, Taichung, northern Changhua Chiayi, Tainan, Hsinchu, Taoyuan City counties, and Linkou District, New Taipei City, all remain under orange alert, the second-highest level in a four-tier rating system. Authorities continue to reduce water pressure 24-hours per day in these areas. Industrial users must reduce consumption by 5-20 percent, subject to official directions. Non-industrial major water consumers, defined as more than 1,000 cubic meters (35,315 cubic feet) of water monthly, must reduce use by 20 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 they will further ease restrictions in the remaining locations, but additional rounds of heavy rainfall are forecast in the coming weeks. The measures will probably remain in place through at least June, depending on regional rainfall.
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.
