Engineering Agency,Taipei Water Department

　　As water conditions in the Hsinchu region have recently shifted to a yellow alert, with storage at Shimen Reservoir dropping to around 60%, supply pressures are increasing. In response, the Taipei Water Department, in coordination with central government dispatch measures, will expand its support to the Taiwan Water Corporation (Taiwater) by supplying nearly 900,000 metric tons of water per day. This is made possible through water savings achieved under its 20-year pipeline replacement program, allowing more water from Shimen Reservoir to be reserved for Taoyuan and Hsinchu, thereby helping to alleviate drought risks. To build on these achievements, and with the support of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, the department will continue to implement a new 10-year Water Supply Pipeline Network Improvement and Management Advancement Plan. The plan aims to fully replace aging pipelines, safeguard every drop of precious water, and deliver on the city’s commitment to sustainable governance.

　　The Taipei Water Department held the “Taipei Water Supply Pipeline Network Improvement Achievements and Future Outlook Forum” today (March 20) at GIS NTU Convention Center. The forum showcased the results of two decades of pipeline replacement and active leak reduction efforts, while also focusing on the next phase of improvements under the new 10-year plan. The event was attended by Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Deputy Director-General Wang Yi-feng of the Water Resources Agency, Chairman Lee Jia-rong of Taiwan Water Corporation, Chairman Huang Wen-tien of the Taiwan Water Pipe Engineering Industries Association, and other representatives from government, industry, and academia. Participants witnessed the significant achievements in pipeline improvement and expressed expectations that the next phase will further enhance efficient water resource utilization in northern Taiwan.

　　In his remarks, Mayor Chiang expressed appreciation for the long-term efforts of the Taipei Water Department, as well as the strong support from the Water Resources Agency, various government agencies, and partners across industry, government, and academia. These collaborative efforts have enabled continuous improvements in water supply governance and alignment with international standards. As extreme weather becomes the norm, the city government has launched the 10-year Water Supply Pipeline Network Improvement and Management Advancement Plan to further reduce the leakage rate to 7%. Going forward, the city will continue to work with all sectors to build a livable, energy-efficient, and water-secure Taipei, ensuring that residents can use water with confidence every day.

　　The Taipei Water Department noted that after 20 years of improvements, the leakage rate has dropped significantly from 26.99% in 2005 to 9.98%, while average daily water savings have reached approximately 620,000 metric tons. This is equivalent to adding the effective storage capacity of one Shimen Reservoir each year. As a result, the Department has been able to expand support to areas such as Banxin, increasing daily water supply to Taiwater from 195,000 metric tons to nearly 900,000 metric tons during recent periods of tight supply. This has helped ensure sufficient water supply for Hsinchu and the Hsinchu Science Park, supporting continued economic development.

　　Pipeline improvement is a critical infrastructure project closely tied to citizens’ daily lives. Stable water supply and high water quality remain key policy priorities. Over the years, the Taipei Water Department has actively adopted high-quality materials such as ductile iron pipes (DIP) and stainless steel pipes (SSP). Since 2006, more than 2,900 kilometers of pipelines have been replaced. Annual repair cases have also decreased from 11,283 in 2005 to 2,037, a reduction of 82%, significantly reducing road excavation frequency and minimizing disruptions to daily life. Looking ahead, with the continued support of Mayor Chiang, the city will invest NT$15 billion and introduce AI-enabled smart technologies to advance intelligent pipeline management. By integrating environmental sustainability and climate adaptation principles, the plan aims to enhance the resilience and stability of the water supply system. By 2034, all remaining aging pipelines are expected to be fully replaced, with the leakage rate further reduced to 7%, ensuring a more reliable and high-quality water supply system for residents.