80% of Seoul Citizens Satisfied with 'Arisu'... Increasing Rate of Tap Water Consumption

Survey Results Announced for Seoul Citizens
Consumption Rates Vary Due to Lack of International Standards
Over 70% Consumption Rate According to Overseas Standards

Eight out of ten Seoul citizens were generally satisfied with tap water, according to a survey. In particular, satisfaction was high when drinking or cooking with it, with the proportion of people drinking tap water directly or after boiling it at home reaching 50%.

According to the results of the "Seoul Citizens' Drinking Water Consumption Pattern Survey" conducted by Seoul City through the public opinion research firm Korea Research from August 13 to 19, targeting 1,000 Seoul citizens aged 18 and older, 77% of respondents expressed overall satisfaction with Arisu (Seoul tap water). By purpose of use, 87% were satisfied when drinking or cooking food, and 94% were satisfied using it as household water for purposes other than drinking.

Provided by Seoul City

In particular, Seoul citizens were found to use tap water not only for drinking but also extensively for drinking tea or coffee and cooking food. When drinking tea or coffee, 59.7% responded that they use tap water, and 63.2% said they use tap water when cooking rice or food, representing the highest proportions.

However, the survey revealed a limitation in comparing "tap water drinking rates" internationally, as there are no standardized global criteria and different countries apply different standards. In South Korea, based on the "Water Supply Act," the Ministry of Environment conducts a "Tap Water Drinking Status Survey" every three years, defining the tap water drinking rate as the proportion of people who drink tap water directly or after boiling it at home. According to the 2021 survey, the tap water drinking rate in Seoul was 36.5%, while the current "Seoul Citizens' Drinking Water Consumption Pattern Survey" showed a rate of 49.6%.

Although the two surveys asked the same questions, their subjects and methods differed. The Ministry of Environment conducted face-to-face interviews with household heads or their spouses, whereas Seoul City surveyed individuals online. Applying the tap water drinking rate standards of the United States and Paris, France, to the current survey results shows rates of 72.4% (U.S. standard) and 80.2% (Paris standard), indicating a significant increase in Seoul citizens' tap water drinking rate.

In fact, the United States calculates the tap water drinking rate by investigating the experience and frequency of drinking tap water in daily life. Paris surveys all types of water consumed at home, including water from water purifiers, which is also counted as tap water consumption. These rates exceed the 68% from the 2023 U.S. survey and the 80% from the 2020 Paris survey.

Earlier, Seoul City held a "Citizen Forum for Establishing Tap Water Drinking Rate Standards" at Post Tower in Jung-gu in September. At the forum, Seoul City proposed four improvement plans for the tap water drinking rate standards: supplementing the existing Ministry of Environment standards, expanding the scope from drinking tap water to eating it (including tea, coffee, and cooking), and adopting standards used in the U.S. or Paris.

Han Young-hee, head of the Seoul Arisu Headquarters, stated, "This survey showed that the 'tap water drinking rate' varies greatly depending on the standards used," emphasizing, "Applying other countries' standards significantly increases the tap water drinking rate among Seoul citizens." She added, "There is a need to expand the definition from drinking water to eating water to reflect the diversified ways tap water is used," and "It is necessary to rationally establish new standards for the 'tap water drinking rate' so that many citizens can safely consume tap water, promoting changes in perception and the spread of a tap water drinking culture."