Major Central Taiwan Water Pipeline Opens, Bringing 25 Million Tons Daily to Drought-Stricken Region

Taiwan has been facing significant challenges with extreme weather conditions and uneven rainfall distribution, prompting the country to prioritize the management and allocation of its water resources. On the same day, the Water Resources Agency under the Ministry of Economic Affairs officially held a water-commencement ceremony for the Big An and Big Jar Creek linking pipe, marking the completion of another critical water allocation pipeline in the country's "Pearl Necklace Plan." This project not only significantly enhances the water allocation capabilities of central Taiwan but also strengthens the nation's overall water supply stability.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this newly activated linking pipe mainly serves to connect Big An Creek's Shihkang Dam and Big Jar Creek's Liyu Tan Reservoir. With the construction and activation of this water pipeline, a daily water supply of up to 255,000 tons can be provided. In the context of Taiwan's frequent droughts and floods, this "water reservoir linkage" mechanism can effectively mitigate the contrasting water situations between different river systems, enabling resources to be transferred and alleviating the risk of single reservoirs being severely water-scarce due to droughts in their catchment areas.

This completed Big An and Big Jar Creek linking pipe is an essential component of the Water Resources Agency's "Pearl Necklace Plan," which has been actively promoted in recent years. The core concept of this plan is to connect Taiwan's major reservoirs, dams, and water treatment plants through a network of water pipes, much like a string of pearls. In the past, Taiwan's water resource allocation mainly relied on independent water supply from individual reservoirs. When a particular region experiences insufficient rainfall, the region would often face water shortages. By constructing the linking pipe network, when a reservoir faces water scarcity, it can quickly be supplemented with water from other areas with sufficient resources, significantly enhancing the region's water supply resilience and drought resistance.

With this linking pipe, which can daily supply an additional 255,000 tons of water, formally going into operation, the mid-region's industrial development and household water supply have secured a more forward-looking safeguard. In particular, the mid-region has seen continuous expansion of its high-tech and precision machinery clusters, placing a pressing demand on stable water supply. The allocation of water resources often directly impacts investment confidence and economic vitality. Through the improvement of foundational engineering, the government not only addresses the current water needs but also prepares for the risks of climate change, ensuring Taiwan's economic and social stability in the face of extreme weather events brought about by global warming.