Rainfall in Catchment Areas Less Than 50% of Historical Average; WRA Says Southern Water Supply Secure Until End of June
The Water Resources Agency (WRA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that despite rainfall in major reservoir catchment areas during the dry season being less than 50% of the historical average, water supply in southern Taiwan is secure until the end of June. This is attributed to water infrastructure projects under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and regional water pipeline networks. The combined storage of the Zengwen, Wushantou, and Nanhua reservoirs is approximately 72 million metric tons, ensuring one month of safe water reserves for public use.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 17:38
- 🔍 Collected: June 3, 2026 at 17:58 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 16:37 (70h 38m after Collected)
In response to the low water storage rates in southern reservoirs, the Water Resources Agency (WRA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today (June 3) that the combined water storage of the Zengwen, Wushantou, and Nanhua reservoirs in Tainan is still approximately 72 million metric tons. Furthermore, the irrigation for the first rice crop of the agricultural season was completed on May 31, reducing reservoir discharge. Public water supply maintains a one-month safety reserve until the end of June.
According to the WRA's official website, as of 7:00 AM today, the water storage rate of the Wushantou Reservoir was 15.2%, and the Nanhua Reservoir was 21.7%. As of 3:00 PM today, the Zengwen Reservoir's storage rate was 9.5%.
The WRA stated in a press release today that although rainfall in the catchment areas of major reservoirs since the beginning of this dry season has been less than 50% of the historical average, the operational flexibility of regional water resource allocation has been effectively improved through the Zengwen-Nanhua Interconnection Pipeline and the water diversion mechanism from Kaohsiung to the north.
From June to November last year, the Zengwen-Nanhua Interconnection Pipeline was used to reverse-pump approximately 13 million metric tons of river flow from the Jiaxian Weir for storage in the Wushantou Reservoir. From January to May this year, the Zengwen Reservoir supplied approximately 20 million metric tons of water to the Nanhua Reservoir. In the Kaohsiung area, hyporheic water and drought-resistance wells were activated. The Gaoping River has a surplus of water after meeting Kaohsiung's needs, and since October last year, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 metric tons have been sent north to Tainan daily.
The WRA mentioned that water sources such as reclaimed water, hyporheic water, and drought-resistance wells continue to be utilized. Southern Taiwan produces approximately 140,000 metric tons of reclaimed water daily, with a cumulative usage of about 52 million metric tons, effectively supporting overall water supply stability.
Citing a forecast from the Central Weather Administration, the WRA stated that from June 5 to mid-month, there will be more significant rainfall signals due to the influence of frontal systems and the southwest monsoon. The agency will seize this opportunity to enhance water diversion, storage, and cross-regional allocation.
The WRA noted that although last winter's rainfall in western Taiwan was the lowest in 75 years, the water infrastructure projects promoted under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program have proven effective during this drought prevention period. Taiwan's water resources are flexibly allocated through a 'string of pearls' network and regional interconnection pipelines. Examples include the Shihmen Reservoir in the north supporting Hsinchu, river flow from the Jiji Weir in central Taiwan supporting Chiayi, the Zengwen Reservoir supporting the Nanhua Reservoir, and surplus water from the Gaoping Weir being sent north to Tainan. The cumulative cross-regional water allocation has reached 480 million metric tons.
The WRA also stated that it has implemented water conservation measures, including total reservoir discharge control, prioritizing the use of river flow and hyporheic water, industrial self-imposed water conservation and priority use of reclaimed water, strengthened agricultural irrigation management, activation of drought-resistance wells, and adjustment of tap water pressure. The overall effectiveness of these water conservation and allocation measures has exceeded 1.04 billion metric tons, equivalent to the capacity of approximately five Shihmen Reservoirs, effectively extending the supply duration of major water reservoirs.
Additionally, the WRA stated that to enhance reservoir storage efficiency and the ability to store water during wet seasons for use in dry seasons, dredging operations have been intensified during the low-water period of the dry season. From December last year to the present, the total dredging volume from 23 major water supply reservoirs nationwide has reached 11.07 million cubic meters, 1.2 times the average of the past five years. Among them, the Zengwen Reservoir's dredging volume reached 3.91 million cubic meters, 2.1 times the average of the past five years, effectively increasing the reservoir's storage capacity.
According to the WRA's official website, as of 7:00 AM today, the water storage rate of the Wushantou Reservoir was 15.2%, and the Nanhua Reservoir was 21.7%. As of 3:00 PM today, the Zengwen Reservoir's storage rate was 9.5%.
The WRA stated in a press release today that although rainfall in the catchment areas of major reservoirs since the beginning of this dry season has been less than 50% of the historical average, the operational flexibility of regional water resource allocation has been effectively improved through the Zengwen-Nanhua Interconnection Pipeline and the water diversion mechanism from Kaohsiung to the north.
From June to November last year, the Zengwen-Nanhua Interconnection Pipeline was used to reverse-pump approximately 13 million metric tons of river flow from the Jiaxian Weir for storage in the Wushantou Reservoir. From January to May this year, the Zengwen Reservoir supplied approximately 20 million metric tons of water to the Nanhua Reservoir. In the Kaohsiung area, hyporheic water and drought-resistance wells were activated. The Gaoping River has a surplus of water after meeting Kaohsiung's needs, and since October last year, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 metric tons have been sent north to Tainan daily.
The WRA mentioned that water sources such as reclaimed water, hyporheic water, and drought-resistance wells continue to be utilized. Southern Taiwan produces approximately 140,000 metric tons of reclaimed water daily, with a cumulative usage of about 52 million metric tons, effectively supporting overall water supply stability.
Citing a forecast from the Central Weather Administration, the WRA stated that from June 5 to mid-month, there will be more significant rainfall signals due to the influence of frontal systems and the southwest monsoon. The agency will seize this opportunity to enhance water diversion, storage, and cross-regional allocation.
The WRA noted that although last winter's rainfall in western Taiwan was the lowest in 75 years, the water infrastructure projects promoted under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program have proven effective during this drought prevention period. Taiwan's water resources are flexibly allocated through a 'string of pearls' network and regional interconnection pipelines. Examples include the Shihmen Reservoir in the north supporting Hsinchu, river flow from the Jiji Weir in central Taiwan supporting Chiayi, the Zengwen Reservoir supporting the Nanhua Reservoir, and surplus water from the Gaoping Weir being sent north to Tainan. The cumulative cross-regional water allocation has reached 480 million metric tons.
The WRA also stated that it has implemented water conservation measures, including total reservoir discharge control, prioritizing the use of river flow and hyporheic water, industrial self-imposed water conservation and priority use of reclaimed water, strengthened agricultural irrigation management, activation of drought-resistance wells, and adjustment of tap water pressure. The overall effectiveness of these water conservation and allocation measures has exceeded 1.04 billion metric tons, equivalent to the capacity of approximately five Shihmen Reservoirs, effectively extending the supply duration of major water reservoirs.
Additionally, the WRA stated that to enhance reservoir storage efficiency and the ability to store water during wet seasons for use in dry seasons, dredging operations have been intensified during the low-water period of the dry season. From December last year to the present, the total dredging volume from 23 major water supply reservoirs nationwide has reached 11.07 million cubic meters, 1.2 times the average of the past five years. Among them, the Zengwen Reservoir's dredging volume reached 3.91 million cubic meters, 2.1 times the average of the past five years, effectively increasing the reservoir's storage capacity.
FAQ
What are the current water storage rates of reservoirs in southern Taiwan?
As of June 3, 2025, the Wushantou Reservoir is at 15.2%, Nanhua Reservoir at 21.7%, and Zengwen Reservoir at 9.5%.
Why does the WRA claim water supply is secure?
Due to the use of the Zengwen-Nanhua Interconnection Pipeline, water transfers from Kaohsiung, reclaimed water, hyporheic water, and conservation measures, ensuring one month of safe water reserves.
What is the rainfall forecast?
The Central Weather Administration forecasts significant rainfall from June 5 to mid-month due to frontal systems and the southwest monsoon.