NCKU president talks about the water issues in Taiwan
Tainan, Taiwan, Mar. 27, 2013
“Taiwan has suffered its share of flood and drought which is the common issue that needs the government and people to tackle with,” said National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) President Hwung-Hweng Hwung at a forum held at NCKU recently.
Dr. Hwung, a hydraulic expert who has been referred as a leading water expert in Taiwan, pointed out that Taiwan frequently faces a number of water-related problems, such as excessive water bringing serious floods, severe water shortage which leads to drought as well as dirty water which causes epidemic diseases.
“When there is excessive water, nobody wants to manage water, causing water to flow into the sea; when there is water shortage, water becomes difficult to manage and people start to pray for help; when water is dirty, water becomes unmanageable, causing the death of water animals,” Hwung explained.
He referred to Morakot 88 flood disaster in 2009 as Taiwan’s most evident problem of excessive water; however, Taiwan faces slight drought and severe drought every 3 years and 5 years respectively, causing alarm and distraught to the people.
There are two main causes behind these problems, according to Hwung. The price of water is too low and the water policy from the government is inappropriate.
Hwung also indicated that Taiwan is unable to retain water due to her steep streams and rivers and on the other hand, Taiwan government overlooks the importance of water supply, thus lacking effective water management.
As global climate changes, a significant shift in rain patterns and the continuous occurrence of water-related disasters can be clearly observed. Changes in rain patterns include uneven, more temporal and more spatial rainfall which has occurred in Taipei in the recent years. Hence, Dr. Hwung suggested that it is a must to respond early to these climate changes.
Since natural water supply on earth is limited, it’s our duty to save the water resources. Dr. Hwung proposed several suggestions to deal with the water problem.
First of all, everyone has to recognize water issues as urgent for all humans on earth, which may be solved by joint efforts.
Second, the Taiwan government should seriously address the problem of water supply by actively invest in the construction of water facilities and water conversation. There would be no high technology industries and traditional industries when the water supply is depleted.
Third, a more comprehensive water management strategy is needed and water should be charged according to the amount of water used in order to enhance the awareness of water-saving.
Fourth, the improvisation of water recycle technology and establishing the concept of multiple-use water sources can also help ensure that water is used wisely by the people in Taiwan.
Fifth, the construction of water storage facilities is needed, especially at appropriate locations and ensuring the cleaning of such facilities to effectively retain water as well as to reduce water-related disaster.
Finally, the governance of the environment of water sources to conserve water sources is not only crucial but deserved proper attention.
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“Taiwan has suffered its share of flood and drought which is the common issue that needs the government and people to tackle with,” said National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) President Hwung-Hweng Hwung at a forum held at NCKU recently.
Dr. Hwung, a hydraulic expert who has been referred as a leading water expert in Taiwan, pointed out that Taiwan frequently faces a number of water-related problems, such as excessive water bringing serious floods, severe water shortage which leads to drought as well as dirty water which causes epidemic diseases.
“When there is excessive water, nobody wants to manage water, causing water to flow into the sea; when there is water shortage, water becomes difficult to manage and people start to pray for help; when water is dirty, water becomes unmanageable, causing the death of water animals,” Hwung explained.
He referred to Morakot 88 flood disaster in 2009 as Taiwan’s most evident problem of excessive water; however, Taiwan faces slight drought and severe drought every 3 years and 5 years respectively, causing alarm and distraught to the people.
There are two main causes behind these problems, according to Hwung. The price of water is too low and the water policy from the government is inappropriate.
Hwung also indicated that Taiwan is unable to retain water due to her steep streams and rivers and on the other hand, Taiwan government overlooks the importance of water supply, thus lacking effective water management.
As global climate changes, a significant shift in rain patterns and the continuous occurrence of water-related disasters can be clearly observed. Changes in rain patterns include uneven, more temporal and more spatial rainfall which has occurred in Taipei in the recent years. Hence, Dr. Hwung suggested that it is a must to respond early to these climate changes.
Since natural water supply on earth is limited, it’s our duty to save the water resources. Dr. Hwung proposed several suggestions to deal with the water problem.
First of all, everyone has to recognize water issues as urgent for all humans on earth, which may be solved by joint efforts.
Second, the Taiwan government should seriously address the problem of water supply by actively invest in the construction of water facilities and water conversation. There would be no high technology industries and traditional industries when the water supply is depleted.
Third, a more comprehensive water management strategy is needed and water should be charged according to the amount of water used in order to enhance the awareness of water-saving.
Fourth, the improvisation of water recycle technology and establishing the concept of multiple-use water sources can also help ensure that water is used wisely by the people in Taiwan.
Fifth, the construction of water storage facilities is needed, especially at appropriate locations and ensuring the cleaning of such facilities to effectively retain water as well as to reduce water-related disaster.
Finally, the governance of the environment of water sources to conserve water sources is not only crucial but deserved proper attention.
Enditem/
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