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The development and management policy of water resources in Taiwan

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Abstract

Taiwan is a small island located in monsoon Asia with an annual precipitation exceeding 2,500 mm, which is 2.6 times the world average. However, water available for each person in Taiwan is less than one seventh of the world average due to Taiwan's crowded population and river basin characteristics. Steep land slope and uneven time and space distribution of rainfall have caused water resources problems. Providing a pure and plentiful supply of water for the people challenges the Water Resources Agency in Taiwan. History is a powerful tool for portraying the future. This paper discusses major themes in the review of water resources development over the last centuries. The changes in social-economic development, water resources infrastructure and demands of water are central to the discussion, with an eye to the plentiful and sustainable implications of water resources management in Taiwan. The water policy in the twenty-first century is also outlined.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 11F, 41-3, Sec. 3, Hsin-Yi Rd., 106 , Taipei, Taiwan, China

    Jing-San Hwang

Authors
  1. Jing-San Hwang
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Correspondence to Jing-San Hwang.

Additional information

Dr. Hwang is the Advice of the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Taiwan, Chairman of the Water Resources Committee, Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, a board member of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) Chinese Taipei Committee, former chairman of the Chinese Society of Agriculture Engineering (CSAE), former director of Water Resources Agency (WRA), former director of the Taiwan Provincial Water Conservancy Agency (TPWCA), and former director of the Taiwan Provincial Water Conservancy Bureau (TPWCB).

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Hwang, JS. The development and management policy of water resources in Taiwan. Paddy Water Environ 1, 115–120 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-003-0019-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-003-0019-y

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