Seoul City Publishes 'Arisu Quality Report' on Tap Water Quality Inspection Results... Detailed Water Quality Tests on 171 Items

More Tests Than WHO Recommendations... From Source to Faucet 'Suitable'
Regular Water Quality Disclosure, Mobile Free Water Testing 'Arisu Quality Verification System' Increases Tap Water Trustworthiness

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 27th that last year’s tap water Arisu in Seoul met all drinking water quality standards through the Arisu Quality Report.

Seoul City conducts detailed water quality tests on 171 items, more than the 166 items recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for tap water inspection, and thoroughly manages water quality at all stages of production and supply, from the Han River upstream water source to the water purification centers and faucets.

The water quality test results for a total of 171 items, including 60 items designated by the Ministry of Environment as drinking water quality standards and 111 items monitored independently by Seoul City, all met the ‘suitable’ criteria, confirming that Seoul’s tap water quality is safe. The city has been publishing the Arisu Quality Report since 2007.

According to the report, the water quality of the Han River intake raw water, the purified water quality of six Arisu purification centers, and the results of legal faucet water quality inspections conducted monthly at 450 locations all met drinking water quality standards. Detailed inspections of tap water quality at each household faucet found no pathogenic microorganisms, nor any of nine harmful inorganic substances such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, or 17 harmful organic substances including phenol and benzene.

The Arisu Quality Report is a tap water quality report published once a year under the Water Supply Act, transparently providing water quality test results and various tap water policies and information to dispel vague distrust of tap water. The main contents of the Arisu Quality Report include the history of Seoul’s waterworks, the status of Arisu supply areas, water quality test results by purification center and district, methods for checking and paying water bills, and practical water-saving tips for daily life.

This Arisu Quality Report includes “Arisu, Misunderstandings and Truths: What to Do in These Cases,” which summarizes representative cases of water quality complaints that citizens are curious about, helping to improve citizens’ understanding of Arisu. The newly published Arisu Quality Report is available in e-book format on the Seoul Waterworks Headquarters website, and anyone interested can access and read it.

The city plans to transparently disclose water quality test results and operate the free on-site water quality inspection service called the ‘Arisu Quality Confirmation System’ to promote water welfare for Seoul citizens and increase trust in tap water. Gu Ami, head of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarters, said, “We prioritize the health of Seoul citizens and manage safety from raw water to purified water,” adding, “We will continue to do our best so that citizens can always trust and drink Seoul’s clean and safe tap water, Arisu.”