Gyeonggi Province to Inspect 1,073 Water Play Facilities Starting July 2

Gyeonggi Province will conduct intensive inspections of water play facilities, such as ground fountains and combination playgrounds, from July 2 to August 5, ahead of the summer season.

Water play facilities refer to artificial installations such as fountains, ponds, waterfalls, and artificial streams that use tap water or groundwater and are open to the public for direct physical contact and recreational water activities.

As of May, 1,073 water play facilities are registered across 30 cities and counties in the province. These include apartment complex playground water parks and park ground fountains. However, swimming pools and amusement facilities regulated under the Sports Facilities Act and the Tourism Promotion Act are excluded.

Gyeonggi Province will conduct joint inspections with city and county governments for 27 vulnerable facilities, including all 7 newly registered sites and 9 facilities with high user traffic, out of the total 1,073 sites. Facilities not subject to joint inspections will be inspected independently by each city or county.

Gyeonggi Province will conduct inspections of 1,073 water play facilities across 30 cities and counties in the province starting from July 2. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

The water quality inspection items include four categories: pH level, turbidity, Escherichia coli, and free residual chlorine. If a facility exceeds the water quality standards, it will be immediately closed to the public, and the violation will be reported. After disinfection, cleaning, or water replacement, the facility will be reopened only if a re-inspection confirms compliance with water quality standards, and the city or county is notified.

Yoon Deokhee, head of the Gyeonggi Province Water Resources Headquarters, said, "Since the management scope was expanded to include water play facilities installed and operated by the private sector in apartment complexes and large retail stores, the number of new registrations has increased rapidly. Through the intensive inspections on water play facility management starting July 2, we will ensure that residents and children can enjoy water play activities safely and with peace of mind."

Meanwhile, on June 11 and 12, Gyeonggi Province provided preliminary training on operation and inspection methods for water play facility managers from local governments and public institutions.