There’s a few things I’ve always wondered about, but never managed to ask people who know.
(1) How does Taipei’s sewer system compare to other countries? (I mean for waste, not the storm sewers.) I understand that Taipei no longer has an “open” sewer system (this would be just a ditch, right?) but you can still reach it through grills in the street. (Right?) Is this arrangement standard?
(2) The same question about Taipei’s power lines and phone lines. For example, I often see them in tangles, or else drooping. Is this important? Why does this happen?
The big problem with the sewers here is they let restaurants dump fat and oil into them. This creates a rancid smell that stinks the place up. Back in civilization (USA) its illegal, and they track down violators and fine them. For that matter, they should just recycle that oil and fat for biodiesel cars to burn.
Thanks, Toe Tag, I can use this. Am I right in picturing the sewers as covered concrete trenches with grated openings every so often? (And is there a technical name for this?)
EDIT: Wait a minute, you’re talking about the storm sewer, not the sanitary (foul) sewer. (These are kept separate here, aren’t they?)
[quote=“Screaming Jesus”]Thanks, Toe Tag, I can use this. Am I right in picturing the sewers as covered concrete trenches with grated openings every so often? (And is there a technical name for this?)[/quote] Back home, we call them manholes. Yes, I think you sound about right.
[quote]EDIT: Wait a minute, you’re talking about the storm sewer, not the sanitary (foul) sewer. (These are kept separate here, aren’t they?)[/quote]Yes, they are separate, but to an extent. Here in Kaohsiung(not sure about Taipei)we still have open sewage. The best place to see them is in between buildings. For example, two buildings or houses built next to one another will have a small space between external walls and you can see an open concrete trench where water and debris(usually quite smelly) run toward the street sewage which are the concrete underground trenches you mentioned above. Small pipes are seen exiting the buildings and water comes out of them if someone uses a sink in the house. Toilets waste do seem to go directly to the bigger underground trenches with manholes seen on the street side.
Why are you asking this question anyways? I am curious as to why you are curious about this.
I used to interpret for Taiwan EPA conferences, and at one of them, we were told that the sewer connection rate for Taiwan as a whole was just 3%. That means at that time (about eight or nine years ago, it must have been) 97% of all effluent/wastewater went — wherever.
Scary thought, that. I’m sure there hasn’t been that much progress in the interim, either.
Lots of progress going on in Taipei, but not Taipei county. Sewers are being improved rapidly in Taipei city. If you really really want to know more you can talk to my friend who is the second most senior sewage system engineer in Taipei.
Does anyone think there’s any biodiesel here, or any potential for it? Maybe for the buses or garbage trucks, or some vehicle fleet? They sure do enough deep frying.