The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday said it has decided to cease supplying water for agricultural use in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and the areas covered by the Chianan Irrigation Association (嘉南水利會) in Chiayi, affecting more than 35,776 hectares of farmland.
The ministry said it would make an official announcement on Jan. 14 with immediate effect.
“Although there has been precipitation in northern Taiwan, the drought has not eased,” Water Resources Agency Chief Secretary Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) told reporters after an emergency meeting on the water supply situation.
“The measure could conserve 34,400 tonnes of water for households and industrial use,” Lai said.
The agency on Dec. 17 announced a plan to suspend the supply of water to 5,800 hectares of farmland in Miaoli County and Greater Taichung, which is to take effect on Wednesday next week.
“The water supply suspension areas across Taiwan would total 41,576 hectares, which would be the largest irrigation cessation since 2004,” Lai said.
Farmers whose land must lie fallow due to the water restrictions would receive compensation of NT$85,000 (US$2,676.32) per hectare from the government, Lai said, adding that the water shutoff measure is estimated to cost the government about NT$3 billion.
Lai said the ministry is slated to hold another meeting on the water supply situation on Jan. 15, adding that it would decide whether to shut off water for irrigation use from Chungkang Creek in Miaoli.
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