Seoul City Establishes 'Water Supply Materials Specialized Laboratory'... Introduces Advanced Analytical Equipment to Strengthen In-House Water Supply Materials Analysis Capability

Strengthening Disinfection Processes and Diversifying Water Supply Materials... Enhancing Water Quality and Facility Safety through Material Research
Precise Analysis Including Water Supply Material Integrity Evaluation and Activated Carbon Quality Control... Optimal Selection and Management of Water Supply Materials

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Water Institute announced on the 27th that it has established a 'Specialized Laboratory for Water Supply Materials' to professionally research the safety and maintenance measures of water supply materials used in the production and supply process of tap water, which is directly linked to citizens' health.

Water supply materials refer to materials that are added to or come into contact with water, including water pipes that transport tap water, concrete facilities and fittings of water storage and distribution reservoirs, activated carbon used in the water purification process, and filter sand.

Recently, as the tap water disinfection process has been strengthened and water supply materials have diversified, research on materials for water quality safety, such as the durability of water supply facilities, has become increasingly important. Although the institute previously outsourced material analysis to external organizations when necessary, it was essential to establish an in-house specialized analysis system to accurately diagnose the condition of facilities and respond promptly to water quality complaints.

Accordingly, the institute newly introduced advanced equipment capable of precise analysis of the surface morphology and compositional elements of water supply materials, and established a specialized laboratory that can operate this equipment by utilizing existing experts. Using the newly introduced advanced analysis equipment, the institute plans to apply it to facility improvements by predicting the durability of metals and concrete used in water pipes, water storage and distribution reservoir facilities, and related mechanical and electrical equipment.

Furthermore, by researching methods to analyze and supplement vulnerabilities of water supply materials, it is expected to be used for technology development to block secondary water quality contamination caused by corrosion and prevent performance degradation (deterioration) of water supply facilities. Additionally, it will be actively used for quality investigations of water treatment agents, such as analyzing changes in the adsorption surface structure and elemental composition of granular activated carbon used in advanced water purification to predict the optimal replacement cycle of activated carbon.

It will also be utilized to investigate the corrosive environment of buried soil affecting pipe corrosion, contributing not only to the prevention of leakage accidents caused by soil corrosion but also to the extension of the lifespan of water pipes, gradually expanding future research areas.

Son Jeong-su, Director of the Seoul Water Institute, said, “By introducing advanced analysis equipment for water supply material research for the first time nationwide, we hope to contribute to the safe supply of Arisu that people can drink with confidence through various research and development such as surface analysis.” He added, “We will further enhance our expertise and research achievements to become the world’s leading specialized research institution in the water supply field.”