In light of the worsening drought in areas of northern Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou was accompanied by Minister of Economic Affairs John C. C. Deng (鄧振中) on a visit to the Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan City to examine current water levels and better understand the state of water supply, as well as the necessary drought countermeasures.
Upon arriving at the reservoir, the president examined the current water levels and important water conservation facilities. To understand the results of dredging, he boarded a dredging vessel to observe operations and de-silting tunnel water inlets, as well as preparations to utilize water-intake ports employed when water levels are low. The president then walked to the square in front of the visitor center where he received a briefing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on water conservation measures, following which he handed out water-saving faucet gaskets to people on hand. The MOEA's Water Resources Agency then briefed the president on water levels in the Shihmen Reservoir, short- and long-term targets, and measures to combat the drought.
In summary remarks, the president mentioned that a United Nations survey indicates that Taiwan has the eighteenth most serious water shortage in the world. Although Taiwan has annual rainfall that amounts to nearly 3,000 millimeters, the portion that can be stored for later use is extremely limited. Meanwhile, extreme climate change has resulted in even less rain during the dry season, while the volume of rain during the rainy season exceeds Taiwan's ability to harness it. Consequently, the challenges facing the public due to serious water shortages should not be taken lightly, he said.
The president then addressed the dredging of the Shihmen Reservoir, noting that dredging is the most important work in maintaining the life of a reservoir. The effectiveness of dredging technology developed by Taiwan in recent years has attracted the attention of the world. The president also specially expressed his gratitude to the individuals who are on the frontline in working to dredge reservoirs, and maintain their normal operations.
The president mentioned that when there are water shortages, measures such as using military vessels to transport water from south to north and vice versa, or drilling deep wells cannot completely resolve water crises. The best method, he said, is to conserve water, which also enables the public to avoid the pain and panic associated with water shortages. Except for the Feitsui Reservoir in northern Taiwan, where the water level is still at 80% of capacity, all of the other reservoirs in Taiwan currently have water levels that are below 50% of capacity. President Ma hopes the public is aware of the drought facing Taiwan and has a sense of crisis about our water shortage, adding that everyone needs to face this problem together.
The president stated that the current drought is the most serious Taiwan has faced in the past 10 years. The government is striving to avoid instituting third-phase water rationing before the end of May. He explained that Taipei City faced a water crisis in 2002 when he served as mayor, and that when third-phase water rationing was implemented the city experienced rotating water cuts three times a week. City residents experienced the panic of a water shortage and deeply understood the importance of water conservation, he said.
The president remarked that serious water shortages can even lead to an outbreak of crime. Only a few city mayors and country magistrates throughout Taiwan have experience in handling water shortages, and he hopes that the MOEA will assemble city and county leaders to explain how serious the crisis is, as well as the current state of water shortages throughout Taiwan. Concrete response plans should be mapped out based on the severity of water shortages in various areas throughout Taiwan with the hope that local leaders will have a greater awareness of the crisis at hand, and that everyone will work together in facing the water shortages, the president said.
The president reiterated that in Taiwan, water is a scarce resource and we cannot afford to waste or squander it. In the future, the Water Resources Agency should strengthen awareness among the public of the importance of conserving water so that people will make water conservation part of their daily life. He also hopes the public will work as a whole to conserve water amid the ongoing drought.