Taipei Water Department

The Taipei Water Department (TWD) is committed to establishing a reliable and sustainable water supply for the city. Throughout 2023, the TWD has achieved numerous significant achievements. These include reinforcing four water pipeline bridges for optimal seismic resilience, successful breakthrough of the Feitsui Raw Water Tunnel, continuously upgrading networks to minimize leaks, and enhancing high-elevation water supply to extend pipeline support. These collective initiatives greatly bolster water security and resilience across the greater Taipei region.

According to the TWD, under the steadfast support of Mayor Chiang Wan-An, it continuously refines and strives to create a better and more reliable water system. Confronting challenges such as earthquakes and extreme weather, the TWD completed seismic reinforcement and functional improvements for four major water mains pipeline bridges in the city this year, reaching a seismic resilience of level 6. This accomplishment ensures a continuous and uninterrupted supply of water to the city. Furthermore, to safeguard the water access rights of residents in remote high-elevation areas, the subsidy for extending water pipelines has been expanded. The maximum subsidy for improvement expenses per household has been increased from NT$600,000 to NT$900,000 since May 2, 2023. As a result, 121 households in Hutian Borough and Pingdeng Borough in Beitou District have completed the installation of tap water.

On May 12th this year, the breakthrough of the Feitsui Raw Water Tunnel was completed and it is anticipated to be fully operational by 2024. At that time, during periods of high turbidity in the Nanshi River due to typhoons or heavy rain, the tunnel will facilitate direct access to high-quality, low-turbidity raw water from the Feitsui Reservoir. This advancement ensures that water treatment at the purification plant will no longer face interruptions. Furthermore, the leakage rate for 2023 is estimated to have decreased to 10.71%, with a total pipeline replacement length of 112 kilometers. This represents a reduction from the 11.20% leakage rate in the previous year, amounting to a decrease in leaked water by approximately 2.81 million metric tons, equivalent to the capacity of 1,124 international standard-sized swimming pools. The projected leakage rate for the year 2025 is anticipated to drop below 10%.

The TWD shoulders the responsibility of supplying quality water for civilian use and economic development of Greater Taipei. Faced with the impacts and challenges of climate change and extreme droughts on water resources, the TWD is dedicated to advancing network improvements and leak prevention. This commitment aims to stabilize regional water supply and enhance water resource utilization efficiency. Systematic facility enhancements are underway to strengthen water intake, purification and backup supply capabilities. This includes establishing emergency water supply systems to address disasters, thereby elevating water supply resilience and response capabilities. Furthermore, these efforts are geared towards ensuring water quality and safety, persistently refining strategies and striving to transform Taipei into a future city with a sustainable and secure water supply.