Annual Savings of 21.5 Billion KRW and Stabilization of Boryeong Dam Expected
Targeting 85% Water Supply Rate in Nine Cities and Counties
Chungnam Province has become the first in the nation to fully implement an 'Integrated Local Water Supply Network Management System,' aiming to conserve water and improve tap water quality. The province announced on April 22 that it has officially begun operating this system.
This initiative was introduced to address a range of complex issues, including reduced water supply rates, water quality concerns, and incidents of water outages and leaks, all stemming from the aging of local water supply facilities.
Since March, the system has been established and is now in operation. The first phase targets nine cities and counties where the modernization of local water supply systems has been completed: Gongju, Boryeong, Dangjin, Buyeo, Seocheon, Cheongyang, Hongseong, Yesan, and Taean.
The province aims to maintain a water supply rate of at least 85% in 20 towns, townships, and neighborhoods within these regions by 2030.
To achieve this, the province is pursuing integrated and systematic water supply management, including integrated network monitoring, water supply rate analysis, remote leak monitoring, leak detection, and inspection and management of water supply facilities.
According to the province, achieving an 85% water supply rate would reduce daily water leakage by 28,000 cubic meters and annual leakage by 10.19 million cubic meters. This would save approximately 21.5 billion KRW, equivalent to about 10% of Boryeong Dam's daily water purification capacity.
The province expects that this will make a significant contribution to stabilizing the water supply at Boryeong Dam, which has long suffered from chronic drought and unstable water provision.
This project was promoted through cooperation between the province, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, and local cities and counties, based on the 'Chungnam Western Region Local Water Supply Integration Agreement' signed in November 2022.
The Ministry of Environment has encouraged integration among water service providers as part of policy efforts to address the financial deterioration and maintenance limitations of water services. Supporting this, an amendment to the Waterworks Act, which underpins such integration, will take effect from April 23.
Kim Youngmyung, Director of Environment and Forestry at the province, stated, "Integrated management across local governments is now essential, not optional, for efficient water supply management and stable water provision in response to the climate crisis. We will further develop the Chungnam-style integrated model as a national best practice."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
