Yang Wei-fu (楊偉甫), Director of Water Resources Agency of Ministry of Economic Affairs visited Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung on December 27, 2014. They had a discussion on the recent drought problem and the water supply situation in Taichung area. Director Yang said that his short-term goal would be to stably supply water for livelihood and industrial uses before the 2015 Spring Festival and his long-term goal would be a try not to enter the third phase of water rationing by region before the end of May 2015.

Director Yang explained to Mayor Lin that the first phase of water-saving measures have been implemented during the night time in Taichung area since December 1, 2014, and irrigation would be stopped in the north shore of Da-an River Basin (approximately 1800 hectares in Zunan of Dajia) at the end of December, 2014, so as to ensure stable water supply for livelihood and industrial uses in Taichung area. Director Yang also asked the city government to strengthen advocacy for saving water during the drought season, the industrial parks in Taichung area to strengthen preparedness for water tankers and water-drawing points, and recycled water from the Futien Water Recycling Center to be provided to Taichung Harbor Industrial Zone.

In reply, Mayor Lin Chia-lung hoped that the Water Resources Agency of Ministry of Economic Affairs could pay attention to the interests of farmers in fallow, work with the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government to guide renewable water into the Hanxi Creek for the Cambridge project and help cover up Midori-gawa (綠川) in North District for 800 meters.

Mayor Lin also mentioned such problems as flooding in the hillsides of Tatu Mountains and Providence University. He also asked Director Yang to help fund the Nan shan drainage ditch project and the reconstruction of nearby Railway Bridge for the drainage system. Director Yang asked the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government to revise those plans and submit them to the Executive Yuan for approval as soon as possible.Director Yangalsoagreed with the budgets for the 2015 drainage maintenance plan commissioned by the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government. “I hope this meeting can accelerate our communication with the Taichung-Changhua-Nantou area for disaster prevention,” said Director Yang.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Lin congratulated Director Yang for his upcoming promotion to be Deputy Minister of Ministry of Economy.