Seoul City, Drinking Fountains in Parks of 25 Autonomous Districts Pass Detailed Water Quality Inspection 'Suitable'

171 Items Detailed Water Quality Test... Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Taste and Odor Causing Substances Not Detected

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 16th that all Arisu drinking fountains installed in outdoor parks across the 25 autonomous districts passed the detailed water quality tests, receiving a "suitable for drinking" rating.

The Seoul Water Institute, an internationally accredited testing agency, randomly selected one drinking fountain from each of the 25 outdoor parks in the autonomous districts and conducted detailed water quality tests on a total of 171 items, including 60 items based on the legal drinking water quality standards and 111 items from Seoul City's own monitoring criteria. From August to October, tests were conducted on the tap water from Arisu drinking fountains in outdoor parks frequently visited by Seoul citizens, such as Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, and Hangang Citizen's Park in Gangdong-gu.

The water quality test results showed that all 25 locations received a "suitable for drinking" rating. No heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or nickel were detected, nor were pesticides or radioactive substances, confirming the safety of the water quality. Harmful organic substances affecting health, such as insecticides and pesticides, as well as radioactive materials, were also not detected. Substances that aesthetically impair the taste of tap water, such as taste and odor compounds (geosmin, 2-MIB), were found to be absent. Pathogenic microorganisms including E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella were also not detected, indicating that these microbial safety items are being properly managed.

Seoul City conducts detailed water quality tests annually on multi-use facilities selected from the 25 autonomous districts and publicly discloses the results to inform many citizens about the safety of tap water. This year, water quality tests were conducted on the tap water from Arisu drinking fountains installed in outdoor parks frequently used by citizens for walking and exercise.

Son Jeong-su, Director of the Seoul Water Institute, stated, "Seoul's tap water Arisu is safe and healthy water scientifically managed throughout the entire process from production to supply," adding, "We will continue to do our best to ensure that citizens can trust and drink Seoul's tap water Arisu through precise water quality testing and transparent disclosure of results."