Taiwan: Officials to begin water rationing in parts of Changhua, Taichung, and Miaoli from April 6 /update 2

Event

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that it would begin water rationing twice per week in parts of Changhua, Taichung, and Miaoli counties from April 6 due to significantly reduced water levels at reservoirs in central Taiwan. The Water Resources Agency (WRA) will place the affected locations under a red alert, the highest level, and suspend 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 and major water consumers to reduce water usage by seven percent and 10 percent, respectively, in Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. In Hsinchu, industrial clients must reduce use by 11 percent, while significant water consumers 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. 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.