Support for Installation of 14,000 Frozen Pipe Safety Meters and 3,000 Meter Covers
If the glass of the water meter is bulging or broken, you can report the freezing damage to the waterworks office in charge of your area or to the Dasan Call Foundation (dial 120 without an area code).
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 3rd that it will implement customized insulation measures for about 350,000 households in aging row houses, corridor-style apartments, and detached houses where winter water meter freezing is a concern.
After analyzing the households where freezing occurred last winter, the city found that water meters installed in wall-type meter boxes in corridor-style apartments and manhole-type meter boxes at construction sites experienced frequent freezing. The main causes of freezing were prolonged vacancy of the house, long absences, and exposure of insulation materials.
In particular, at construction sites, many cases of freezing were caused by negligence in management, such as damage to water meter protective covers and exposure of insulation materials. Accordingly, each waterworks office will continuously provide guidance on preventing meter freezing at construction sites within their jurisdiction and impose compensation fees for freezing caused by negligence.
The city will also install about 9,400 'wall-type insulation materials' in corridor-style apartments and aging row houses this winter, and about 5,600 'manhole-type insulation materials' in detached houses and commercial buildings. Additionally, approximately 3,900 damaged meter box lids will be repaired. Along with 315,800 'insulation covers' that cover the exterior of meter boxes for insulation, about 3,200 meter self-insulation materials, known as 'meter underwear,' which wrap around the glass part of the meter body for insulation, will be installed again this year.
Along with this, the installation of 'freeze-safe meters' that are resistant to freezing will be expanded. Following the installation of about 14,800 units in the first half of this year, an additional 13,500 units will be secured in the second half to replace frozen meters or install them in areas prone to freezing. Furthermore, to quickly restore frozen water meters, a 'Winter Water Meter Freezing Countermeasure Situation Room' will be operated for four months until March 15 next year.
At home, households should first inspect the water meter box and replace any wet or damaged insulation materials with dry new materials such as old clothes, cotton, or air caps. Wet insulation can freeze again and cause freezing. Equally important as insulating the water meter is slightly opening the faucet to let water flow.
When water suddenly stops flowing in winter, check if the water meter glass is broken or bulging, and if freezing is suspected, report it to the Seoul Dasan Call Center or the local waterworks office.
Baek Ho, head of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarters, said, "Since a large budget is invested annually in replacing and preventing frozen meters, active participation and cooperation from citizens are necessary to minimize freezing," and urged, "As the weather gets colder and coats get thicker, please also pay attention to insulating your home’s water meter."
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