Drought prevention in Taichung
By Chang Yen-ming 張炎銘
Water restrictions were implemented in two zones of Taichung from Tuesday last week, with water supplied for five days and cut off for two. People with large-capacity water storage tanks at home might not be feeling the effects, but businesses that use large amounts of water, such as restaurants, hair salons and car washes, are in dire straits.
Only twice in the past 22 years has Taichung been divided into zones for water rationing: In 1999, the Shihgang Dam (石岡壩) was badly damaged by the 921 Earthquake and in 2004 the inlet sluice gate of the Liyutan Reservoir (鯉魚潭水庫) became detached, leading to water restrictions for less than a week. The dam has since been repaired and a second raw water pipe was installed at the reservoir, so these incidents are unlikely to recur.