Incheon City Replaces 2.2km of Aging Water Pipes in Traditional Markets

Incheon City is undertaking maintenance of water pipes to supply clean water to traditional markets, which are vulnerable areas for water supply.

On the 23rd, the city announced that it will repair 2.2 km of aging pipes buried in nine markets, including Hakik Market in Michuhol-gu, by November.

Among the 46.2 km of water pipelines buried in 57 traditional markets, about 35%, or 16.2 km, are aging pipes that are over 30 years old. This is a high figure compared to the overall aging pipe ratio of about 11% in Incheon, raising concerns about frequent water pipe leaks and cloudy water.

The low maintenance rate of aging pipes in traditional markets is due to the difficulty in securing construction space for various equipment because of frequent pedestrian traffic and densely packed stalls, as well as issues such as compensation for business losses caused by construction and complaints due to time delays, making construction progress challenging.

Old water pipe maintenance work is underway at Hakik Market in Incheon.
[Photo provided by Incheon City]

Accordingly, the city's Waterworks Headquarters formed a permanent working consultative body including the relevant districts and merchants' associations to replace and maintain aging pipes in traditional markets, and held working meetings by visiting merchants' associations of 23 traditional markets, including Bupyeong General Market.

At the meetings, they explained the current status of aging pipe installations, the necessity of replacement, appropriate construction times to minimize business damage, and realistic construction methods, and agreed to actively promote the complete replacement of aging pipes as soon as possible.

A representative of the Incheon City Waterworks Headquarters said, "We will maintain the aging pipes in traditional markets to supply clean water stably," and asked for the merchants' associations' understanding to ensure smooth progress of the construction.