Taoyuan is securing its water supply and agricultural productivity from rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall by utilizing new sources of water under the Drought Resistance Strengthening and Diverse Water Sources Regulation Plan.
Released in 2015, Taoyuan’s Drought Resistance Strengthening and Diverse Water Sources Regulation Plan is better managing scarce water resources in the Taiwanese city by utilizing existing supplies, such as ponds and wells, and developing new supplies, such as deep groundwater, subsurface flow, and reclaimed water. The plan aims to increase the city’s water supply by nearly 400,000 m3, accounting for 33% of the current daily tap water usage, and source 26,000 m3 of daily tap water with reclaimed water.
2K tons of CO2 sequestered daily by maintaining rice paddies under the plan
Cities100 – 2016
These innovative strategies allow the city to maintain existing water scheduling polices, most importantly those directed at agricultural irrigation, which in turn provides Taoyuan with the ability to maintain 360 km2 of rice planting area and prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in lost commerce, trade, and employment. In addition to maintaining the agricultural industrial chain from planting to sales, the plan is expected to improve the local microclimate, stabilize the food chain, and sequester carbon via the water storage capacity of rice cultivation.
The challenge
Taoyuan expects that, in the coming decades, its dry season precipitation will drop by 13% and the average temperature will increase by 16%, increasing water demand of agriculture by 20%. Agriculture already competes with domestic water use, with five agricultural irrigation suspensions and two rationings of water supplies imposed since 2000. Under this new plan to protect against drought and develop new water sources, Taoyuan is securing its supply for drinking and agriculture.
Co-benefits
Economic It is estimated that the plan will save almost $45 million in compensation for agricultural irrigation suspension, as well as avoid affecting nearly $700 million in output value of industry and commerce.
Environmental The plan will enhance aquatic ecosystems by improving existing ponds and constructing new ponds.
Health During water supply suspensions, internal pressure on pipes causes sewage to leak into drinking water, resulting in illness. Reducing the risk of disruption of water supply, and therefore contamination, will sustain people’s hygiene and health.
Social As a new industry in the city, reclaiming water will create new job opportunities for residents.
About Taoyuan
Taoyuan is a special municipality in northwestern Taiwan. Taoyuan developed from a satellite city of Taipei metropolitan area to be the fourth-largest metropolitan area, and fifth-largest populated city in Taiwan. Since commuting to the Taipei metropolitan area is easy, Taoyuan has seen the fastest population growth of all cities in Taiwan. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, which serves the capital, Taipei and the rest of northern Taiwan, is located in this city.
