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President highlights need for Baihe Reservoir improvement project

2017-06-10
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(Photo courtesy of CNA)
(Photo courtesy of CNA)
Taipei, June 9 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen was briefed on plans for the Baihe Reservoir improvement project in Tainan on Friday as part of a tour to promote a flagship infrastructure development plan introduced by her administration.

Tsai said Baihe Reservoir, which was built more than 60 years ago, is experiencing increasingly serious sedimentation that has affected its ability to supply water for both agricultural and household use.

With limited land available in Taiwan for new reservoirs, Baihe Reservoir plays an indispensable role as the main water supplier for Tainan's Baihe, Dongshan and Houbi districts, which are important producers of rice in Taiwan, she said.

Through its "forward-looking infrastructure development plan," the government will channel sufficient funds to solve sedimentation problems and strengthen water preservation at major reservoirs, including Baihe, Zengwen and Shimen reservoirs, Tsai said.

If not tackled, the sedimentation will only get worse, which would then cost more money to solve, she said, adding that removing the sediment will not only extend the reservoirs' lifespans but also save money for future generations.

Under the proposed infrastructure plan, the government will spend NT$882.49 billion over eight years on infrastructure projects around Taiwan, including new light railways and several rail extension or improvement projects.

Opposition lawmakers, however, have described it as pork-barrel spending plan that is not forward-looking and designed mainly to benefit local Democratic Progressive Party leaders in next year's local elections.

The opposition Kuomintang has tried to block consideration of a bill governing the plan in the Legislature, hoping to slash some of the proposed spending to save taxpayers money.

Urging the public to support the infrastructure development plan, Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te said Friday that the plan will provide timely funding to help the city solve Baihe Reservoir's sedimentation.

He pointed out that 60 percent of the reservoir's capacity has given way to sediment, leaving less space for storing water.

The problem has not only resulted in a shortage of water for irrigation but also flooding during typhoons, he said. 

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