Drought-stricken Taiwan imposes rationing
Print Edition
Taiwan imposed water rationing in some major cities yesterday as the island battled its worst drought in over a decade.
Supplies were cut to around 800,000 households and businesses in Taoyuan as well as parts of Hsinchu County and New Taipei City in northern Taiwan for two days a week.
The move follows the lowest rainfall across the island last autumn and winter since 1947.
Parts of the vast Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan that supplies several cities in northern Taiwan have dried up, leaving a muddy crater.
The dam held just 24.5 percent of its capacity yesterday, the Water Resources Agency said.
“We continue to monitor the situation to determine how long the rationing will go on, as the supply of Shihmen dam is tight,” said Cheng Tsao-ming, an official with the Taoyuan city government.
“We urge people to conserve and store water,” he added.
Homes, schools and businesses are relying on water stored in large tanks and are adopting water-saving measures, including recycling water for gardening and closing swimming pools and gyms on days when supplies are cut.
Some people expressed concern their businesses will suffer if the water rationing continues.
Showlin hair salon in Taoyuan said it had to turn away some customers.
“Even though we have three water storage tanks we still have to limit our services. I am worried that we will have to start taking unpaid leave if the rationing goes on much longer,” said a worker at the salon.
The owner of a car wash in the city said: “I have still opened my business today as I have a big water storage tank to supply my shop, but I am worried about losing customers if the situation worsens.”
Despite light rain this week, the government is warning that the dry spell is forecast to continue and that monsoon rain may not happen at all this season.
The government last imposed water rationing and anti-drought measures in 2001 in parts of Taiwan, including Taipei.
At that time water supplies to car washes, saunas and swimming pools were suspended in the capital while government agencies, schools and hotels were ordered to cut their water consumption by 20 percent.
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