Abstract

As water shortage is expected to become a frequent phenomenon in Taiwan, both the central and local governments should take measures to cope with the situation.

Taiwan is once again facing a shortage of rainfall this year, and the situation in the Taipei area may turn out to be more serious than that of last year. In general, Taiwan's dry season lasts from October to May. Feitsui Reservoir, the major provider of water for the Taipei area, will fall short of normal supply by the end of April. Hsintien Creek, the other source of water supply for the metropolitan area, also recorded a falling water level. As a result, water rationing is imminent. To make things worse, the water supply systems in the neighboring areas such as Keelung are unable to support Taipei mainly because of the lack of inter-basin transfer networks.

Taipei needs 2.12 million tons of water a day. The supply will last fot 86 days given the current water level of Feitsui Reservior at the end of February. The supply period may be shortened to 55 days if the reservoir continues to supply6 water to Panhsin and Shihmen areas.

We recommend the following measures to tackle the issue of water supply in Taipei:

1. Plans for the reduction of water supply as well as the timing and the conditions for its implementation at various phases must be publicly announced as early as possible.
2. The authorities concerned should regularly keep the general public informed of the current situation of water supply as well as the relative measures being taken by the government.
3. Active measures should be taken to identify the locations and the capacity of all spare water supply systems along with all the inter -basin transfer channels available.
4. Actively promote water conservation and encourage the general public to use water-saving equipment.
5. Publicity campaigns should be organized with a view to promoting public awareness of water saving.
6. An in-depth study should be conducted on the feasibility of the water rationing procedures proposed by the central government.
7. Water rationing ought to be based on pre-programmed standard procedures as well as an automatic mechanism instead of rationing ad hoc when there is already a water shortage.
8. Supply of water to Panhsin and Shihmen areas must only be done with due consideration to the water supply situation of Feitsui Reservoir. Finally, we need to consider the long- term measures to deal with the issue of water supply when a severe drought occurs in the future.of inter -basin transfer networks.

Taipei needs 2.12 million tons of water a day. The supply will last for 86 days given the current water level of Feitsui Reservoir at the end of February. The supply period may be shortened to 55 days if the reservoir continues to supply water to Panhsin and Shihmen areas.

.....the full text in chinese