Premier Jiang Yi-huah today said efforts to restore three reservoirs in southern Taiwan are coming to fruition after hearing the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA) report on a project to stabilize water supplies in the region.
Premier Jiang acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, MOEA, Council of Agriculture and local governments, asking them to build on the foundation laid so far and hasten the completion of the project.
After Typhoon Morakot swept through southern Taiwan in August 2009, the Zengwen, Nanhua and Wushantou reservoirs were left with large amounts of sediment that severely impeded their ability to supply water to the area. Consequently, in May 2011, the government passed the Special Act for Managing Zengwen, Nanhwa and Wushantou Reservoirs and Stabilizing Water Supply in the Southern Area. The following May, the Executive Yuan approved the MOEA's water supply stabilization project.
Aside from extending the life of these reservoirs, Jiang said it is important to ensure sustainable water supplies for the whole of Taiwan. He asked the MOEA to guide the Water Resources Agency (WRA) and help enhance their planning.
According to the MOEA, the WRA and Central Weather Bureau have been working closely with local irrigation associations to tighten water controls, reducing or suspending supplies to farms as conditions permit. Officials have also been strengthening conservation campaigns and adjusting water resources to see to it that homes and businesses in southern Taiwan have access to reliable supplies.