WATER THIEVERY IN A RICE IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN TAIWAN.

Water thefts and conflicts are more common in some irrigation systems or in some parts of a single irrigation system, than in others. Water thievery in the Nan-hung canal system in Taiwan is analyzed through an examination of the need to steal, the opportunities to steal, farmer awareness of opportunities to steal, and farmer willingness to steal. Water supply, water rights customs, water control methods, the location of houses, and the size of the system influence the number and distribution of thefts and conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]