Business Agreement for Integrated Water Supply Project in 7 Cities and Counties of Western Chungnam

Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Environment, and Chungnam Province Collaborate to Address Climate Crisis and Enhance Water Management Efficiency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, Chungcheongnam-do, and seven cities and counties in the western region of Chungnam will sign a "Business Agreement for the Integration of Local Waterworks in the Western Region of Chungnam" at Chungnam Provincial Office on the afternoon of the 28th to respond to the climate crisis and improve the management efficiency of waterworks projects.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, Chungcheongnam-do, and the seven cities and counties in the western region of Chungnam have been operating a working-level consultative body since July last year to promote the integration of waterworks projects. After the signing ceremony, they plan to concretize the waterworks integration promotion plan by establishing detailed implementation plans and promoting necessary budget allocation through the "Policy Council for the Integration of Local Waterworks in the Western Region of Chungnam."

Once the integration of waterworks projects is achieved, water facilities between cities and counties will be linked, enabling stable water supply even in the frequently occurring climate crisis situations. The integrated management of water facilities will prevent redundant and excessive investments, reducing disparities in water service such as leakage rates and water supply coverage by local governments.

Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, said, "The integration of local waterworks in the western region of Chungnam is the first domestic case of local waterworks integration led proactively by the province recognizing the current problems in water management of cities and counties." He added, "If the integration is successfully achieved, it will enhance the financial soundness of water management in the western region cities and counties of Chungnam, establish a sustainable tap water supply system, and enable residents to enjoy better water welfare fairly and stably."

The Ministry of Environment has actively participated in discussions on the integration of waterworks projects in Chungcheongnam-do and has been operating forums since May this year with experts in law, accounting, administration, and waterworks to establish an institutional foundation for waterworks integration. Reflecting the results discussed in three forum sessions so far, they are preparing a bill for legal amendments to implement waterworks integration and drafting a "Waterworks Integration Guideline" tailored to local governments.

Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, stated, "Integrated water management among local governments is necessary to provide safe water supply and high-quality water services in preparation for the climate crisis," and added, "For successful waterworks integration, active participation of local governments is most important, and we will spare no administrative and policy efforts to support local governments."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety views the integration of waterworks projects in the western region of Chungnam as a collaborative task in the structural reform field of the "New Government Local Public Institution Innovation Promotion Direction," announced on July 27 and prioritized as a national agenda, expecting it to play a leading role in innovating local public institutions.

Minister Lee Sang-min said, "This integration agreement is promoted by voluntary agreement among seven local governments to improve water management efficiency and stable water supply, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will spare no administrative and financial support for the integration," adding, "I hope the integration of waterworks in the western region of Chungnam will be successfully promoted and become an exemplary case of innovation for local waterworks direct management enterprises."