[Waterway in front of Shuangbei Water Meter] Was the water meter connected privately by a neighbor or the pressurized motor was installed in the wrong position? Taipei Water Works Office and Taiwan Water Company's piping regulations, transfer meter inspection and prevention of water theft concerns

The first line of defense in Zhongguwu waterway in Shuangbei: the boundaries between water meter rights and responsibilities and regulations

When purchasing a second-hand apartment, an old condominium, or renovating whole-house water and electricity in the greater Taipei area, many homeowners and real estate investors often ignore the piping regulations and property rights responsibilities of the pipelines surrounding the "Water Meter". In Taipei City (under the jurisdiction of the Taipei Water Works Department) and New Taipei City (partly under the jurisdiction of the Northern Water Department and partly under the jurisdiction of the Taiwan Water Company), water meters are not only a measuring instrument for calculating water bills, but also a point of delineation of private waterway property rights between water companies and users. If the plumber accidentally connects the pressurized motor to the wrong location when renovating the waterway, or if the public water meter area is connected to the public water meter area by the neighbor without permission, he may face fines from the water department and forced water cutoffs, or he may be charged with water theft (water theft) and legal action for neighbor damage. To ensure waterway compliance, you must first have a clear understanding of the regulations and engineering specifications before and after the water meter.

Fact check: Pressurized motors are "strictly prohibited from being installed in front of the water meter to pump water directly"

In old apartments with double north floors or top floors, residents are accustomed to installing pressurized motors due to low water pressure. However, there is a legal red line that must not be violated in the field of hydropower engineering: "The pressurized motor must not be installed in front of the water meter (between the public water pipe and the water meter) to directly absorb water!"

According to Article 80 of the "Water Supply Law" and the "Business Regulations" of the Taipei Water Supply Agency, users directly installing pumping motors on the tap water pipelines will cause the public water supply network to produce a "negative pressure siphonage effect (Negative Pressure Syphonage)". When the pressure of public pipelines drops, the negative pressure will suck unclean muddy water, sewage and even groundwater outside the pipes into the public water pipes, seriously polluting the drinking water quality of the entire building and even the community. Legal installation methods for pressurized motors must comply with one of the following two:

• Post-water meter pressurization method: The pressurization motor must be installed on the user's private water supply pipeline "behind the water meter" and can only pressurize indoor pipelines.
• Reservoir/water tank transitional pressurization method: Tap water first flows by natural gravity into a legal reservoir on the first floor or basement (equipped with high and low water level float valves), and then the water in the reservoir is pumped by a pressurized motor to the water tower on the top floor or home. It is absolutely prohibited to forcefully pump water directly into public main pipes.

Private water pipes in the public water meter area of old apartments and troubleshooting steps for "water theft concerns"

In many old apartments with stairwells that are over 40 years old in Shuangbei, the water meters of all residents are densely concentrated on the first floor arcade, top floor platform or basement. During real estate transactions or when water and electricity are being redone, it is often discovered that the pipelines are complicated, and there are even situations where "the pipelines are connected privately behind the water meter":

1. Whole-house water meter check method (static test): Completely turn off all faucets and flushing motors in the living room, bathroom, and kitchen at home, and go to the water meter area to observe the "red heart micro-turning needle (triangular small red needle)" on the water meter. If no one is using water in the house but the red needle continues to rotate slowly, it means there is a hidden leak in the house, or the pipe is privately connected by a neighbor.
2. Verification of household main switch valve:Close the main valve (gate valve) behind your own water meter. If a faucet in your neighbor's house (such as a car wash pipe on the top floor or a balcony faucet) suddenly runs out of water, it means that the pipeline is mistakenly connected to your own water meter.
3. Report for North Water Department/Taiwan Water Inspection: If it is confirmed that there is illegal private connection, the photos and the hydropower technician's inspection report should be saved, and the water company personnel should be notified to come to the site for inspection and reorganize the water meter wiring to avoid long-term unidentified water bills.

Water Meter Due Diligence Checklist during Real Estate Transfer and Commercial Acquisition

For commercial investors who want to acquire second-hand properties in the greater Taipei area for leasing, management or renovation and resale (flip), water meter maintenance is a core project of Due Diligence:

Conclusion: Compliant pipes protect water quality and property assets

Water meters and their surrounding pipes may seem inconspicuous, but they are important hubs connecting public facilities and private residences. When renovating or buying and selling old houses in Shuangbei, adhering to the legal construction method of installing the pressurized motor behind the meter, checking whether the water meter is connected without permission, and completing water bill settlement and lead seal inspection are wise ways to maintain household drinking water hygiene, avoid water theft disputes, and protect the long-term commercial value of real estate assets.