Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-12-17
President Tsai Ing-wen was on hand Sunday for the completion of a new water storage pool
President Tsai Ing-wen (center) presides over the opening of a new water pool at Shihmen Dam, which will help stabilize the water supply in northern Taiwan. (CNA photo)
at Shihmen Dam, one of the most important reservoirs in northern Taiwan.
The dam, which is over 50 years old, supplies millions of households in parts of New Taipei and Taoyuan. In recent years it has struggled to meet water needs, not only during droughts, but also following typhoons, when sedimentation increases. Right now sedimentation affects about a third of the water on reserve.
President Tsai said Sunday that the brand-new Chung Chuang water storage and adjustment pool is one prong in a three-prong strategy to quickly stabilize the water supply. She also said that it was a step toward the sustainable future of Shihmen Dam.
The new water pool will allow for a continued water supply even when sedimentation is too high. When the reservoir is full, the facilities will still be able to continue reducing sedimentation. [FULL STORY]