Cooler weather has brought a return of stable power supplies while rainfall over the weekend has partially replenished reservoirs.

The Water Resources Agency reports that Taiwan's reservoirs currently hold over three months of public water supply. But they warn the upcoming agricultural demand calls for heightened attention to Shimen (石門), Baoshan (寶山), Yongheshan (永和山), and Liyutan (鯉魚潭) reservoirs.

The Water Resources Agency has introduced tougher water restrictions from today due to shortages in some parts of the island – meaning industrial water usage in certain areas has now been cut by up to 11%.

Water conservation efforts and heavy rainfall over the past few days have further eased water shortages in Taiwan, allowing for the lifting of strict water rationing in central and southern Taiwan.

The Water Resources Agency says industrial users that consume over 20,000 cubic meters of water per day must obtain at least half their supply from reclaimed sources from 1 February.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has inaugurated a water recycling plant in the Tainan section of the Southern Taiwan Science Park.

Facing a water shortage crisis, the Water Resources Agency says it is planning to invest some NT$160 billion over the next several years to secure water supply.

The Water Resources Agency says water levels in six reservoirs have fallen to below 20% of capacity and recent days of rainfall have done little to help alleviate the problem.

The Water Resources Agency says two desalination plants are expected to begin operations later this month.