Job Discussion Forums

[Xenophobe]

I keep getting conflicting stories about palatable Taipei water. The government site, claims that it is completely safe to drink as is, no boiling required. Others, including many Taiwanese say you have to boil it for ten minutes before it is safe. How many of you are Taipei residents and drink the water straight from the tap, or after a Brita filter? When we lived in Kaohsiung we had an RO filter in our apartment and drank water, unboiled, from it without any ill effects for 5 years.

However, last month I got some water from a community pump here in Kinmen, which the local county maintains. The pump said the water went through the RO process and a UV filter, to kill any pathogens. An hour after having a glass of the water, that I boiled, my mouth felt odd. I went to the bathroom and had a look. There were blisters all over the inside of my mouth, lips and tongue. My tongue developed a grey coloured coating that later that night turned black and raw. The doctors didn't know what to make of it. Well after going back to 7 11 mineral water, countless salt water and peroxide rinses and some medications my tongue no longer looks like it is suffering from The Plague. Food tastes a little different and I have to be careful with my curry.

[Greenislander]

We use a steam water distiller unit at home (brought it from overseas to Taiwan) and also drink water from a purifier machine at work. All ok!

We would not drink Taipei water straight from the tap! Not worth the risk. Also I have heard that boiling water does not kill every kind of bacteria anyway. But it is better than nothing.

Stay healthy!

[wix]

Xenophobe, the problem you mention probably results from chemical contamination of the water rather than bacteriological contamination. Unfortunately boiling or filtering can't get rid of chemicals.

[teacha]

not to mention HEAVY METALS

[Xenophobe]

Seeing as this island was one huge military instillation until recently, God only knows whats contaminated their ground water and what I ingested. Now that I think about it, I never did see locals using those pumps. Five years in kaohsiung and nary a problem with the water there. Come to one of the cleanest places in Taiwan and I get poisoned by the water.

[Aristotle]

Every so often you will read a quote from a Taiwan Public Works official in the English papers or on the radio, stating how Taiwan's water is perfectly safe to drink and all cases of contamination particularly those that have resulted in fatalities are the fault of the person who drank the water and not the Water Department the swears the water is safe to drink.
This is another one of those instances where the tendency to tell a blatant lie to save face actually kills people and still goes unchecked by the incompetent and corrupt occupational government on Taiwan.
DON"T DRINK THE TAP WATER ON TAIWAN, IT CAN KILL YOU!
Good luck!
A.

[teacha]

I know a girl in Taichng, largely scraped up her legs falling off a scooter. Had them bandaged and treated DAILY by a Dr. (wow right?) she wrapped them in rubberbands and bags in the shower and a few "DROPS" got in and wet it, and area that immediately got all pussed and needed major attention .....she was warned of gangrene....scary!!!

[ramakentesh]

Ive got a notoriusly week belly so no chance for me - i got sick from the water in Melbourne Australia when i forst moved there, so not worth the risk IMO...

[Xenophobe]

I have traveller 's dire-rear in Sweden, but it cleared up within a week. That's just the body acclimatizing to different mineral content and bacteria, that are for the most part harmless. The stuff here is downright toxic. I'm not even sure if the local cockroaches would find it tolerable.