To strengthen urban water management and promote international exchange, New Taipei City Mayor Hou, Yu-Ih led a municipal team to visit Sydney Water in Australia on March 20th. Mayor Hou stated that in the face of challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather, urban water governance has become increasingly critical. Through this exchange, New Taipei City not only shares its own expertise but also draws inspiration from Australia’s mature practices in integrated water resource management to deepen bilateral cooperation in water governance.

With a population exceeding 4 million, New Taipei City is the most populous city in Taiwan and a key hub of the Greater Taipei Metropolitan Area. Although Taiwan receives abundant rainfall, its mountainous terrain and short, steep rivers—combined with uneven temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation—present challenges for water dispatch during dry seasons. Ensuring a stable water supply and enhancing water-use efficiency are top priorities for New Taipei City.

Mayor Hou pointed out that to serve the Greater Taipei area’s total population of over 7 million, New Taipei City has collaborated with the Water Resources Agency (WRA) on cross-regional water dispatch and supported the Taipei City Government in the Feitsui Raw Water Tunnel Project. Additionally, New Taipei takes the lead in improving water supply measures for remote areas. These initiatives ensure a stable supply even when faced with the imbalances of droughts and floods caused by extreme weather.



In recent years, Taiwan has actively promoted the use of recycled water. By supplying treated water from water resource recovery centers to industrial sectors, New Taipei City has improved the urban water cycle's efficiency and reduced reliance on reservoir sources, gradually establishing a diversified urban water resource model.

The New Taipei City Water Resources Department stated that Sydney Water has accumulated extensive experience in urban water management, particularly in seawater desalination, recycled water circulation, and integrated water resource management. They have established a comprehensive urban water cycle system that enhances the city's resilience against drought and climate change. These experiences serve as a high-value reference for urban water governance in Taiwan.

The Department added that through this exchange, New Taipei shares its governance experience with international partners while gaining a deeper understanding of Sydney Water’s practices in diversified water management and recycled water utilization. This allows both parties to exchange insights and inspire one another. Moving forward, New Taipei looks to continue deepening cooperation to jointly promote safer and more sustainable urban water resource management, creating a stable and livable environment for its citizens.