Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeju Join Forces to Ensure Tap Water Safety

Joint Discussion by Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office and Korea Water Resources Corporation
Aging Water Pipes, Water Treatment Plant Sanitation, and Drought Response

From aging water pipes and water treatment plant sanitation to drought response, a forum was held to address local tap water safety concerns and seek solutions from the field.

The Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 26th that, together with the Korea Water Resources Corporation Yeongseom Basin Waterworks Support Center, it will hold the ‘2025 First Half Yeongseom Basin Waterworks Support Council’ in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 27th to discuss current issues in waterworks facility operations and crisis response measures.

A view of the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office.

This council is a consultative body composed of waterworks facility managers from 26 basic local governments in the Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeju regions. It has been held semi-annually since 2022 to promote practical cooperation and information sharing on local waterworks policies.

The agenda for this meeting includes: ▲ post-management policies for aging water supply renovation projects ▲ joint inspection plans for water treatment plant sanitation management ▲ crisis response measures for droughts and accidents ▲ consulting measures to address concerns in areas at risk of tap water incidents.

Cho Younghee, Director of the Basin Management Bureau, stated, “The Environmental Office, local governments, and the Korea Water Resources Corporation will communicate and cooperate to ensure the stable supply of clean and safe tap water.” Oh Bonggeun, Head of the Yeongseom Basin Waterworks Support Center, also said, “We will actively support local governments with their technical challenges.”

The Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office plans to invest 126.5 billion won from the national treasury this year in establishing a response system for small organisms in water treatment plants, renovating aging water supply systems, and expanding and managing water supply facilities.