Taipei City says tougher water restrictions likely

A thunderstorm yesterday afternoon raised the water level at the Feitsui Reservoir in Taipei County, but there was some relief from the drought in a downpour later in the day.

The Taipei City Government proposed launching stricter water measures should the water level fall to 130m from the 138m recorded yesterday.

Yesterday's thunderstorm brought abundant rainfall to Ilan County, whose accumulation exceeded 100mm for the day.

At Feitsui Reservoir there was 6 million tonnes of rainfall which amounted to an accumulation of 40mm as of press time last night. This was sufficient to provide three days more tap water for the greater Taipei area.

"If rains don't come, the possible launching date [for further water restrictions] could be at the end of this month," Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said.

According to Feitsui Reservoir director Kang Shih-fang (康世芳), the water level was 10m lower than it was at the same time last year.

"It means we have 60 million tonnes of water less. The amount can sustain the city for one month," Kang said.

Officials said that, without significant rainfall, the water level at the reservoir would reach its critical level, 117.5m, in less than 50 days.

Beginning today, parts of Peitou and Yangmingshan will impose water rationing due to the shortage.

Water Resources Agency Director Chen Shen-hsien (陳伸賢) said yesterday that when and how to launch stricter water conservation measures would be discussed at a press meeting held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs tomorrow.

Water officials have also been monitoring the level at Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan County. The level is expected to fall to its critical level, 210m, in less than 20 days without more rain.