Taiwan saves over 1 billion tons of water, equivalent to 5 Shihmen Reservoirs

Taiwan's Water Resources Agency has announced significant success in its drought preparedness efforts, managing to save over 1.04 billion tons of water. This substantial conservation achievement is equivalent to the storage capacity of roughly five Shihmen Reservoirs, underscoring the effectiveness of the measures implemented.

The agency initiated various drought prevention strategies starting in June of the previous year. These efforts were crucial given that the western part of Taiwan experienced the least rainfall in 75 years during the past winter. The "Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program" played a key role, enhancing water resource facilities and cross-regional water transfer systems.

Through these advanced systems, water resources across Taiwan were flexibly managed. Notable examples include Shihmen Reservoir supporting Hsinchu, the Chichi Weir's flow aiding Chiayi, Zengwen Reservoir supplying Nanhua Reservoir, and surplus water from Kaoping Weir being sent north to Tainan. These inter-regional transfers alone accounted for 480 million tons of water.

Simultaneously, the agency implemented a range of water-saving measures. These included controlling water output from reservoirs, prioritizing the use of river water and underground water, encouraging industrial water conservation and the use of recycled water, strengthening agricultural irrigation management, activating drought-resistant wells, and regulating water pressure in the distribution system. The collaborative efforts of central government ministries and local governments resulted in the overall water savings, extending the supply duration from major reservoirs and ensuring stable water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.