It is recommended to boil the water from water stations before consuming it and not to drink it directly.

The Consumer Protection Agency of the Executive Yuan stated today (19th) that they conducted inspections on 54 water stations in 7 counties and cities. Among them, all 54 samples tested for heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury met the regulations. However, 11 water stations were found to have inadequate sanitary management, and the local health departments have taken legal measures to investigate and require them to make improvements within a specified period of time.

The Consumer Protection Agency pointed out that some people have concerns about the quality of tap water and choose to purchase water from water stations for household use. However, there are concerns about the safety and hygiene of the water supplied by these water stations. In order to protect the health and rights of the public, the Consumer Protection Agency has collaborated with the competent authority, the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to conduct inspections on 54 water stations in 7 counties and cities in Taiwan. They tested 54 samples for heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, and the local health departments conducted inspections on the sanitary management based on the “Water Station Sanitary Management Autonomous Regulations” of each county and city.

The Consumer Protection Agency stated that all 54 samples tested for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury met the regulations. Regarding the inspection of sanitary conditions, a total of 54 water stations were inspected, and 11 of them did not meet the regulations. The main violations were related to the failure to post or update information documents. The specific violations include five cases of failure to post or update self-management records, three cases each of failure to post hygiene management personnel certificates or expired certificates, failure to post water source supply permits, failure to post water station approval certificates, and failure to post inspection result reports or expired reports.

The Consumer Protection Agency stated that those who do not comply with the sanitary management regulations are in violation of the “Water Station Sanitary Management Autonomous Regulations” of each county and city. The local health authorities have requested them to make improvements within a specified period of time, and all of them have now completed the improvements.

The Consumer Protection Agency emphasized that in order to protect the health rights of consumers using water stations, they have requested the competent health authority to continue conducting water quality testing and strengthen supervision to ensure environmental hygiene at water station sites. Lastly, the Consumer Protection Agency reminds consumers that if they intend to purchase water from water stations, they should boil the water before consumption and not drink it directly. It is important to treat it the same way as tap water, by boiling it to ensure water safety. 

Consumers should also pay attention to whether the water station has posted establishment permits and self-management records, and whether these documents are up-to-date, to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the sanitary management information.

Source: Neowave