K-water "Cold Wave Causes Sharp Increase in Tap Water Usage and Leakage... Full-Scale Response Underway"

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Korea Water Resources Corporation announced that it is making every effort to respond to disruptions in tap water supply caused by the cold wave.

According to the Water Resources Corporation on the 16th, the recent ultra-strong cold wave has caused a sharp increase in tap water usage and leakage.

To prevent freezing of indoor water facilities, continuous running of tap water has significantly increased usage, and in public facilities and houses, thawing of frozen water pipes has led to increased leakage, it is analyzed.

Currently, areas experiencing tap water supply disruptions have been identified as 19 local governments receiving metropolitan water supply and 4 local governments supplying water independently.

In the Han River basin, water shortages have occurred in Eumseong, Jincheon, and other areas. In the Geum River basin, shortages are occurring in Gochang and Cheongju, and in the Yeongsan River and Seomjin River basins, shortages are occurring in Muan, Haenam, and other areas.

A Water Resources Corporation official said, "We have increased the production capacity of water purification plants by about 113% compared to before the cold wave to supply at maximum capacity," adding, "In some local governments, supply is exceeding the allocated amount of tap water."

Additionally, the corporation has formed an on-site investigation team by mobilizing about 200 personnel from the Basin Water Support Center established last year. They are supporting leak detection and other efforts to reduce leakage in local governments.

Furthermore, 61 emergency water supply vehicles and 182,000 bottled water units have been provided to areas with supply disruptions. To minimize inconvenience to residents, the corporation plans to continue support by maximizing the use of its owned facilities.

As the cold wave is forecast to continue this weekend, the corporation will maintain an emergency response and support system through collaboration among Basin Water Support Centers.

The corporation stated, "We will do our best to ensure that there is no inconvenience to the public's daily life due to tap water shortages until the cold wave situation ends."