Once water flows away, it cannot be reclaimed. For this reason, people build artificial structures like dams and reservoirs, which temporarily lock water in until it is let go during periods of water shortage.
Except for during the rainy season (June-September), rivers in the nation suffer from an overall shortage of water. Through the Four Rivers Restoration Project, 16 new weirs will be built along the four rivers, securing 800 million cubic meters of water every year.
Some people argue that these new structures will block water flow, making the water stale. However, each structure is ‘movable,’ to prevent water from stagnating and keep it flowing. Water levels can also be adjusted during seasons of drought or floods. The construction of these water retention structures will be coupled with the expansion of sewage treatment plants, redevelopment of riverside farmland, and other measures aimed at systematically blocking the inflow of contaminants.
