Taiwan has announced the delineation of 86 drinking water source and quality protection areas and 49 drinking water intake protection zones, constituting 10.78% of the total area of Taiwan. As part of the government’s strategic environmental assessment, the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan, has continuously worked on and added amendment to the “Description of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Changes to the Extent of Drinking Water Source and Quality Protection Areas(Draft)” and the related operations. The following have been achieved this year: I.Completion of the fourth revision for “Description of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Changes to the Extent of Drinking Water Source and Quality Protection Areas (Draft)”, and its presentation materials, after gathering data on the latest laws, policies, programs, environmental monitoring data and environmental impact. II.Research and analysis of possible conflicts with laws involving drinking water protection areas and other laws, and countermeasures and principles in response to such conflicts. Recommendation for adjustment and correction to the five protection areas, including Gaoping River, Zengwen Reservoir, Nanhua Reservoir, Banxin Yuanshan Dam and Gaoping River Dashu Weir, in accordance with the foregoing principles. III.In order to provide administrative directives to the competent authorities to delineate, adjust, abolish and illustrate changes to drinking water source and quality protection areas, the “Operating Manual for Delineation, Adjustment and Abolishment of Drinking Water Source and Quality Protection Areas ＆ Drinking Water Intake Protection Zones (Draft)” was revised. Local competent authorities were also invited to participate in two seminars held on September 25 and November 4, 2015, to provide their feedback, which was taken in consideration and included in the operating manual accordingly.

Policy environmental impact assessment, drinking water source quality protection areas, drinking water quality