Parts of Taiwan will see stricter water rationing beginning in April as the recent drought continues. The decision to restrict water usage comes as major water sources such as the Shihmen Reservoir in northern Taiwan drop to their lowest level in a decade.
Beginning April 1st, residents of New Taipei City’s Banqiao, Xinzhuang and Linkou Districts as well as residents of Taoyuan City will see their water supplies cut entirely for two days every week. The move is expected to impact more than a million households.
At the legislature on Friday, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said that the drought is worse than anticipated as the amount of rainfall has continued to fall behind predictions. Mao said that given the circumstances, water rationing is unavoidable.
Factories will also see further cuts in water supply beginning Monday. Factories in parts of northern Taiwan will see water supplies reduced from 7.5% below normal to 10% below normal. At the same time, factories in much of central and southern Taiwan will see similar but less drastic cuts.
Three of Taiwan’s leading semiconductor manufacturers—TSMC, Inotera Memories, and UMC—have all reported that they are prepared for the cuts, and say that reduced water supplies will not impact production.