Water hardness in Taipei
27 mg/L soft
Tap water in Taipei is soft: 27 mg/L (1.6 gpg · 1.5 °dH · 2.7 °fH).
Source: Taipei Water Department open data (2026) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 27–139 mg/L.
The median of the three main plants is 27.4 mg/L CaCO₃; small hill sources serving parts of Shilin and Beitou go up to 139.0 mg/L. Taipei's water comes almost entirely from the Xindian River system, with Feitsui Reservoir upstream, and is treated at the Taipei Water Department's river plants. Limescale is a minor issue at this level, mostly a thin film on kettles and shower glass. The spread between plants is wide, so check which plant serves your street.
Taiwan Water Corporation reports total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water standard is 300 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 27 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Taipei Water Department |
How Taipei compares
- Tap water in Taipei is 78 % softer than the median of the 265 cities we track in Taiwan (126 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 255 of 265 in Taiwan (1 = hardest); 3 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Luzhou, 6 km away (73 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Taiwan →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Taipei
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Taipei water hard or soft?
It is soft: 27 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.6 gpg, 1.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Taipei safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Taiwan Water Corporation reports total hardness in mg/L CaCO₃; the drinking-water standard is 300 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Taipei water?
1.6 gpg, equal to 1.5 °dH, 2.7 °fH or 27 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Taipei?
For 27 mg/L (1.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Taipei?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Taipei Water Department open data (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Taipei Water Department open data · Outdated figure? Tell us