75521180https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=83F248AED8654C1BWhy does the water look red or yellow-brown? Plumbing system is unlikely to degrade the quality of your water. If you use iron pipe in your house and the system is old, you may see a discoloration (red or yellow-brown) for a few minutes after turning on the faucet. Caused by erosion of iron pipes, it is not harmful in general. If the phenomenon happens quite often, that might result from the iron sediments in the water mains. When a surge of pressure occurs, usually from a main break or a fire hydrant being used, the sediment becomes stirred into the water. Again, a regular flushing will help correct this problem.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75521190https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=86D74BCAD5D3883BHow often should the household water tower and water tank be cleaned?The household water tower and water tank are prone to inviting pollution by insects, dusts, fuels, car exhausts, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and degreasers. Coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other health-hazardous concentrations may be formed and breed, contaminating the water in storage. So, water towers and tanks must be cleaned at least once a year. Hire a qualified water tower/tank cleaner to do the job pursuant to TWD’s relevant specifications. [][][][]Taipei Water Department75521200https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=E75ADB67EA409E70Where should I buy a water filter or home treatment system?The decision is yours. Our water meets the stringent drinking water standards in Taiwan, R.O.C. and other advanced countries. You are not encouraged to install any treatment facility in your residence in Taipei. If you insist on buying a filter or system, do some homework first and be a smart purchaser. Be sure the function of the filter can meet your requirements and a reliable maintenance program is provided.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75521210https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=D5E9245216074C0BWhat is the basic charge in water rates?TWD is a public utility relying heavily on equipment for provision of water services. Basic charge is collected to cover part of the fixed expenses relating to equipment, such as depreciation, operation, and maintenance. More specifically, this practice is based on the following considerations:(1) Beneficiaries shall pay: TWD has made a lot of investment on equipment and runs operations around the clock so as to satisfy customers, who hold the privilege of using water they need at any time. Based on the principle of payments for benefits, a water customer should help cover fixed expenses incurred by equipment no matter whether he uses water or not.(2) Fair cost sharing among all users: Basic charges vary in a wide range, depending on the diameter of water meter installed. Households using larger-diameter meters gain access to more equipment resources and enjoy convenience in larger water flow, so they pay higher basic charges than their smaller-diameter counterparts. A unitary basic charge would imply that smaller-diameter households subsidize larger-diameter users.(3) Various institutions, including the Consumers Foundation, had called for replacing the previous basic degree practice with the current water rates system that comprises basic charge plus charge for quantity actually consumed.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75521220https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=7B022B77033F9573What are the Water Resources Conservation and Compensation Fees?To protect water sources, the government has to regulate the use of land in designated water source areas at the expense of local residents. The Water Resources Conservation and Compensation Fees are to be applied specially for the infrastructure for Water Resources Conservation and Environment / Ecology Conservation in the Water Quality and Quantity Protecting Area, as well as feed back in public welfare and compensation to restricted land for local residence. The unit rate for users is NT$0.5 per cubic meter.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75521230https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=4E4DD3C34EAC69F7How much water is there in 1 degree of tap water as read by the meter? 1 degree = 1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters = 250 gallons = 800 bottles of soft drinks containing 1,250 cc each = 500 bottles of soft drinks containing 2,000 cc each[][][][]Taipei Water Department75521240https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=6054E2A2750D09A1What is the Basis for calculation of basic charges ?Based on (1) the standard basic charge of NT$34 monthly per household installed with a 13 mm water meter and (2) the pipe diameter equivalent value of all other sized meters, basic charges for all households are acquired by multiplying NT$34 by the equivalent values. <table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="isPasted" witdh="630"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="13.036565977742448%">Diameter of    Meter (mm)</td><td valign="top" width="9.062003179650238%">13</td><td valign="top" width="5.087440381558029%">20</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">25</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">40</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">50</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">75</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">100</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">150</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">200</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">250</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">300</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="13.036565977742448%">Pipe diameter  equivalent        value</td><td valign="top" width="9.062003179650238%">1</td><td valign="top" width="5.087440381558029%">2</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">3.7</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">11</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">20</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">54</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">107</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">297</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">590</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">1,042</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">1,635</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="13.036565977742448%">Monthly basic  charge per       household     (NT$)</td><td valign="top" width="9.062003179650238%">17(34)</td><td valign="top" width="5.087440381558029%">68</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">126</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">374</td><td valign="top" width="6.359300476947536%">680</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">1,836</td><td valign="top" width="8.108108108108109%">3,638</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">10,098</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">20,060</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">35,428</td><td valign="top" width="9.379968203497615%">55,590</td></tr></tbody></table>To exemplify, let’s compare a13 mm and a 100 mm meters. Assuming same water pressure and friction coefficient, then the volume of water flow from a single 100 mm pipe equals the combined volume of water flows from 107 pieces of 13 mm pipes. Therefore, the basic charge of a household using a 100 mm meter = that using a 13 mm meter (NT$34) x 107 = NT$3,638.  [][][][]Taipei Water Department75520910https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=4207D1EEB94314ADWhere can I file my complaints about water quality?If you live in the Taipei Metropolis and have a concern regarding your tap water, please feel free to call us. Our telephone number is 8733-5678. We will answer your questions on the phone or make a field survey and examine the water quality for you. The service is free of charge.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520900https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=C11EFC7AFD98FEF5What are THMs?THMs stand for trihalomethanes. They are by-products of chlorine disinfection. When chlorine mixes with certain organic substances in water, THMs are formed. Animal studies have shown that high concentrations of THMs are a potential carcinogen. The National Drinking Water Regulations currently set the MCL (maximum contaminant level) for THMs as 80ppb (parts per billion). The tap water in Taipei has been tested regularly. All the data indicate that the level of THMs in your tap water is less than 10ppb, well below the MCL.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520890https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=24D55EA9210DA1B2How do you disinfect the water in Taipei?Water can be disinfected in several ways. The most common and time-proven method is chlorination. Chlorine is not only a very effective disinfectant in the treatment process; the residual chlorine in the distribution system can provide continuous disinfecting effect in the process of distribution as well. The level of residual chlorine hence can be regarded as an excellent telltale for water quality monitoring. Ozone is a very effective disinfectant too. But it does not remain in the water for long after it is applied.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520880https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=7153423814FA389CHow is the safety of your water protected after leaving water treatment plant?The distribution system has safeguards to ensure the safety and hygiene of water after it leaves the treatment facilities. Briefly speaking, there are three measures employed to protect the water from being contaminated. They are a pressurized distribution system, maintenance of disinfection efficiency, and regular monitoring and testing program.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520870https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=6F33B4E1E990F631What is Taipei Water Department’s Water Quality Monitoring System? TWD established its Automatic Water Quality Monitoring System in 1981 along with the initiation of the Safe Drinking Water Program. The system has enabled TWD to monitor the water quality in the raw water intakes, in the treatment process at purification plant, and in the distribution system. Consequently, it assures the quality of water supply and enhances TWD’s credibility. We also take water samples from all water sources, Feitsui Reservoir, treatment plants, and consumers’ premises for analysis at our well-equipped laboratory. All test data prove that the water quality in Taipei is in good condition.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520820https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=FFE9A143DCE3049BWhere can I pay my water bill?You can pay it at convenience stores in Taipei. Even without a water charges notice, you can do that at one of the TWD units indicated here. Except the methods given above, there are other payment methods. You can pay your water bills on-line via internet banking and Automatic Recurring Credit Card Payments using the most secure on-line payment system available.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520830https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=F762E865E344C397How should I apply for payment of water bills with my bank or post-office account?Bring your latest water charges receipt, ID card, and seal to the bank or post office where you have opened an account, TWD Customer Service Center, or any of its district business offices and fill out an application form. Do the same if you want to terminate this arrangement.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520840https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=51563CB04A17BB0EWhere should I file my application for initiation, suspension, and resumption of water supply ?At the Service Center or any of TWD’s district business offices. They are always ready to answer your inquiries and complaints about water supply and to provide advice and assistance you need.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520920https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=0D48850536394E54Why is there sand in my tap water?Main breaks and new main constructions in your neighborhood may bring sand into your tap water. In that case, the water is turbid. If the water is clear then the most probable source of sand is the filter media in the treatment plant. Flushing of the water pipes usually corrects the problem.[][][][]Taipei Water Department75520930https://english.water.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=AE0DA764AB147CA8&s=D35B5A33DB3AB3ADWhy does the water look cloudy or like milk?Cloudy or milky water is usually due to air bubbles in the water. Distribution pipes carry water under pressure, meaning air is dissolved in the water. These bubbles make a glass of water appear cloudy, but they will slowly rise and disappear. Just stand the water for a while or stir it gently. It will clear up.[][][][]Taipei Water Department