Taiwan is facing its worst drought in over half a century. Authorities will begin restricting municipal water supplies in central and southern Taiwan beginning April 6. However, some small towns aren’t too worried, thanks to wells that have been around for hundreds of years.
An old woman in Changhua County, central Taiwan, washes her clothes in a well. The water is free, and locals have been doing their laundry here for decades. Looking at these images, there’s no way you could tell that Taiwan is in the middle of its worst drought in over 50 years. A lack of rain means record low water levels at reservoirs nation-wide. So, where are these residents getting their water?
It’s coming from springs in the surrounding mountains. Locals say that Dutch colonists dug the wells about 300-400 hundred years ago. Authorities say the water isn’t potable, but it’s good for just about everything else.
The government will begin restricting municipal water supplies starting April 6 in central and southern Taiwan. But, for the residents in this area, the mountain provides most of what they need.