Allocation strategy analysis of water resources in South Taiwan

The integration of surface water and groundwater resources in south Taiwan was simulated based on the forecasted demand and water supply system in 2011. Three strategies allocating water resources, which are the priority of benefit of water usage, the priority of right of water usage and the priority of purpose of water usage, were tested under different hydrological conditions and constraints of groundwater abstraction. The results indicate that the key factor of water shortages in south Taiwan is the lack of storage infrastructures. Moreover, the irrigation water must be transferred to the industrial sectors for improving the overall benefits of water usage during a water shortage period. In order to meet the future water requirements in south Taiwan, the preferable resolution for government is to construct reservoirs and weirs, so that the strategic storing water can be utilized in wet season and support the shortage of the dry season. Furthermore, it is necessary to set a fair and reasonable compensation standard of water transfer in order to avoid the conflict between traders.