The Puzi River Aqueduct Reconstruction Project undertaken by the Chianan Management Office of the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture has received recognition at the 25th Public Construction Golden Quality Award in 2025. To express appreciation for the dedication of frontline staff and the construction team, Director General Tsai Sheng-fu of the Irrigation Agency visited the Chianan Management Office on January 7, 2026, to extend his sincere thanks and commendation to all participating partners. He praised the team for successfully completing the project on schedule and to a high standard despite multiple typhoons and earthquakes during the construction period, while also strengthening the long-term resilience and sustainability of the century-old Chianan Irrigation System.
The Irrigation Agency noted that the Chianan Irrigation System is one of the most vital lifelines for agricultural development in Taiwan. Within this system, the Puzi River Aqueduct serves as a critical water conveyance hub on the North Main Line, responsible for ensuring stable irrigation supply for the northern Chiayi region. However, the existing aqueduct had faced challenges from land subsidence and environmental changes caused by extreme rainfall, failing to meet modern public safety requirements in terms of seismic resistance, durability, and flood protection. In response, the Irrigation Agency initiated the reconstruction project to comprehensively enhance facility safety and improve agricultural water resource management.
The Irrigation Agency further explained that the project was designed around three core principles: seismic resistance, flood resilience, and durability. The bridge foundation structure underwent rigorous hydraulic analysis and is capable of withstanding a 100-year flood standard. In addition, vertical jacking space was incorporated to address future land subsidence risks and maintenance needs. The construction process itself posed significant challenges. Over a two-year construction period, the team was required to carry out the work while ensuring uninterrupted irrigation supply to 8,502 hectares of downstream farmland. Through thorough planning of construction procedures by the Chianan Management Office engineering team, along with flexible scheduling and efficient management, the project successfully overcame multiple typhoons and earthquakes. Not only was the goal of zero water supply interruption achieved, but the project was also completed ahead of schedule, demonstrating exceptional execution.
The Irrigation Agency emphasized that this project extends beyond an upgrade of irrigation infrastructure. It also incorporates landscape design and environmentally-friendly concepts. The newly constructed aqueduct features a bicycle path and viewing platforms that link the surrounding natural environment with local cultural heritage, transforming specialized irrigation infrastructure into a public recreational space. This reflects the spirit of public construction serving society. Director General Tsai Sheng-fu highly commended the Chianan Management Office’s achievement and encouraged engineering teams across all management offices to continue advancing the renewal of irrigation infrastructure. Through innovative technologies, they can strengthen disaster resilience, ensure irrigation security for farmers, and create a safe, sustainable, high-quality agricultural production environment.