Seoul City Expands Daytime Road Water Cleaning... Lowers Urban Temperature Amid Heatwave

Additional Private Water Cannon Deployment to Increase Daily Usage from 1-2 to 3-4 Times Until Mid-August

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City is actively working to lower the urban temperature by increasing the frequency and coverage of water cleaning on major arterial roads during daytime until mid-August.

On the 28th, Seoul City announced that in addition to the existing 185 water trucks operated by autonomous districts and facility corporations, 92 private water trucks will be added to increase the water cleaning frequency from 1-2 times a day to 3-4 times a day. Water spraying on roads will be concentrated during the peak temperature hours from 12 PM to 4 PM.

The scope of water cleaning will also be expanded. In addition to the existing water cleaning sections such as bus central lanes and main roads, roads around COVID-19 screening clinics and public health centers will be cleaned, covering a total distance of 1,946 km. According to a survey by the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment, water cleaning roads during the peak temperature hours lowers the road surface temperature by 6.4℃ and the surrounding air temperature (sidewalk) by 1.5℃.

Moreover, road water cleaning helps remove fine dust, improving air quality. It cools the radiant heat from the road and heat emitted from vehicles, preventing road deformation caused by asphalt distortion in advance.

Before expanding road water cleaning, Seoul City will also hold a ‘Heatwave Response Water Truck Operation Demonstration.’ On the 28th, a road water cleaning operation will be demonstrated on Sejong-daero (about 1 km one-way from Seoul City Council to Sungnyemun direction).

Im Mi-kyung, head of the Seoul City Living Environment Division, said, “The urban heat island effect is severe due to the heatwave. We hope that road water spraying will prevent heat-related illnesses among vulnerable groups and provide a refreshing feeling to citizens.” She added, “Seoul City will continue to focus on road water cleaning until mid-August to minimize citizen inconvenience during the hot summer.”