East Asia
Can you drink tap water in Taiwan?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in Taiwan?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Treated, but locals boil or filter it; refill at free drinking fountains in MRT stations, parks and many public buildings.
Tap water by place in Taiwan
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei | Filter or boil | Treated at source but old building tanks vary; locals boil or filter it. Free filtered fountains in MRT stations and parks. |
| Tainan | Filter or boil | Treated, but locals boil or filter it. Carry a bottle and use free fountains in public buildings. |
| Kaohsiung | Filter or boil | Treated but locals boil or filter. Free fountains at MRT stations and parks. |
| Taichung | Filter or boil | Treated but locals boil or filter it. Free fountains at stations and museums. |
| Hualien | Filter or boil | Treated but boil or filter it. Refill at fountains in stations and visitor centers. |
| Jiufen | Filter or boil | Treated but locals boil or filter it. Buy bottled water or refill at your guesthouse. |
| Sun Moon Lake | Filter or boil | Treated but boil or filter it. Bottled water is sold everywhere. |
| Kenting | Filter or boil | Treated but boil or filter it. Bottled water is cheap everywhere. |
| Alishan | Filter or boil | Treated but boil or filter it. Mountain lodges supply hot water; carry a bottle. |
| Taitung | Filter or boil | Treated but boil or filter it. Refill at your hostel or public fountains. |
| Hsinchu | Filter or boil | Treated, but locals boil or filter it; refill at free fountains in stations and public buildings. |
| Penghu | Filter or boil | Island supply is partly desalinated and can taste brackish; most visitors buy bottled water or use filtered refills. |
| Xiaoliuqiu | Filter or boil | Island water can be brackish or desalinated; drink bottled or filtered water. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- Taiwan Arrival Card (National Immigration Agency)
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Taiwan Tourism Administration
- Speedtest Global Index: Taiwan
- World Bank open data
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