With no end in sight for Taiwan’s worst drought in decades, the nation is set to enact stage three rationing on April 8.
Stage one involves decreasing water pressure at certain times. Stage two cuts water to certain high users like car washes and swimming pools. Stage three, involves rationing the water supply for entire areas.
Cabinet Spokesman Sun Lih-chyun said Monday morning that stage three rationing will affect people who live at the ends of water lines, and at higher altitudes. He said that Premier Mao Chi-kuo has already contacted the economics ministry, which oversees public water works, to take that into consideration.
One possibility for increasing the water supply is to dredge the nation’s reservoirs. Premier Mao said that there is no limit on dredging, as long as there is somewhere to put the mud.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has enacted its own measures for saving water, including installing water-saving faucets and toilets, using recycled water to water the plants, and wiping cars rather than washing them with water. The Cabinet also encourages staff to bring their own water to meetings.