Downpour fails to wash away fears of water shortage

A thunderstorm yesterday afternoon brought abundant rainfall to downtown Taipei but little to major reservoirs.

The Water Resources Agency (WRA) said yesterday stricter water conservation measures might be imposed in the north after Aug. 20.

According to the Central Weather Bureau, most of the rainfall was concentrated in downtown Taipei.

In the Ta-an District, 102.5mm of rainfall accumulated within two hours. Rainfall at 15 areas in Taipei City exceed 50mm.

The Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan County received only 3.3mm of rainfall yesterday. The water level at the reservoir yesterday was 215.8m.

Without more rain, the water level is expected to reach its critical level, 210m, in 20 days.

The Feitsui Reservoir in Taipei County gained 4mm yesterday.

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) urged residents to be mindful of the impending drought, adding the water level at the Feitsui Reservoir is expected to hit its critical level, 117.5m, in 50 days.

"We have to raise our voice now to remind residents of the need for water conservation. Save the water you use for taking a shower and reuse it to clean floors or something else," Ma said.

In addition, Ma said the city government would not introduce stricter water rationing before discussing the matter with the central government.

The WRA drafted possible water restrictions yesterday to be imposed in the north in case heavy rains don't come this month.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs will hold a meeting on Thursday to finalize strategies presented by the WRA.

According to agency director Chen Shen-hsien (陳伸賢), the third-phase of water restrictions may start in Keelung, which had not received rain for about 50 days, on Aug. 20.

Water rationing in Keelung would be accompanied by appropriate measures to meet water demand for fire-fighting and medial treatment, Chen said.

Keelung City tightened its water restrictions on Saturday, stopping non-essential use of water by grounding street-washing trucks and turning off fountains. The water supply to swimming pools in the city has also been cut by 20 percent.

Chen said water stored at the Hsinshan Reservoir in Keelung would only last until Sept. 8.

In Taipei, Chen said, the second-phase of water restrictions may begin at the end of the month.

"The supply to water-consuming industries and heavy users ... will be cut by 20 percent. But the supply to industrial zones will be cut by only 5 percent," Chen said.

The water supply to the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park, Chen said, would not be affected because water stored at the nearby Paoshan Reservoir remains abundant.