Taiwan is facing its worst drought in over half a century. Officials have encouraged people to conserve water, but there’s just not enough to go around. Beginning on Tuesday, they will begin rationing water in Central and Southern Taiwan.
A water company employee fills a tank with water in Taichung City, central Taiwan. He’s not trying to make a big pot of soup. No, he’s saving up for when water rationing begins on April 6. Starting that day, the government will only provide water five days of the week. With Taiwan facing its worst drought in 56 years, these measures are born out of necessity.
The water company has set up 347 water stations like this one in neighborhoods around Taichung. They’ll provide a limited amount of water on the days when the water is turned off in the community. Neighborhood chiefs will monitor the water levels, and can ask for more when they’re running low.
It’s not just residents who are affected. Local businesses also need water for cooking and cleaning. Without a dependable supply, everything could grind to a halt. Some restaurants are planning to use disposable utensils to save water, while others will close on days when the water is turned off.