Water for Xiaoliuqiu first goes to a water treatment plant, is then pumped through a booster station, and finally carried via nearly 100 kilometers of undersea pipelines.
PINGTUNG — A new 5,000-ton reservoir has opened on Xiaoliuqiu (小琉球), increasing the island’s total storage capacity from 6,800 tons to 11,800 tons, according to a China Times report.
The project comes as the offshore tourist hotspot, which now receives more than one million visitors annually, faces mounting pressure on its water supply. On peak days, demand can reach 7,000 tons — surpassing the island’s original storage limits and straining the undersea pipeline that delivers water from Pingtung.
Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) said at the inauguration that the county has made major strides in expanding access to piped water, and predicted it will exceed 75% by the end of next year. Chou also noting that Taiwan Power Co. (台電公司) completed island wide underground cabling and voltage-doubling projects earlier this year to ensure stable power for tourism and residents.
Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) recalled the difficulties of building the reservoir. Water for Xiaoliuqiu must first be treated at the Mudan Water Treatment Plant (牡丹淨水場), pumped through the Qifeng Booster Station (崎峰加壓站) in Linbian Township (林邊鄉), and carried via nearly 100 kilometers of undersea pipelines. Construction faced challenges ranging from transporting materials across the sea and securing land to repeated delays after cultural relics were uncovered.
The NT$103 million (US$3.2 million) project, reduced in scope due to archaeological finds, was eventually completed with three in-out pipelines. Officials said it marks a critical upgrade in ensuring reliable water for residents and the booming tourist economy of Xiaoliuqiu.
