Seoul to replace all old water pipes

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaks during a press conference at City Hall, Wednesday, about the local government's plan to deal with a recent water contamination issue. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

All old water pipes across the city will be replaced earlier than planned, Seoul City said Wednesday, adding it is allocating an emergency supplementary budget in the wake of a recent report of reddish tap water in the capital.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a plan to replace 138 kilometers of aging pipes by the end of the year by advancing the schedule by three years.

To this end, the local government has received approval from the City Council to draw up an extra budget of 72.7 billion won ($62.8 million). The total budget for the replacement work is estimated at 178.9 billion won, according to Seoul City, with 106.2 billion won already allocated earlier this year.

“Taking the water contamination problem very seriously, we are set to deal with it thoroughly,” Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said in a press conference at City Hall.

The announcement came after reddish tap water was reported last Thursday in apartment complexes in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, with the city's Office of Waterworks advising 1,314 households not to drink the water ― although it can still be used for washing dishes or clothes.

It was the first time the city government received such a water contamination report ― an issue that affected thousands of households in Incheon and sparked health concerns. The Seoul mayor visited Mullae and promised to replace the old water pipes there and other areas using an emergency budget if necessary. Five billion won will be spent to replace 1.75 kilometers of old pipes in the affected area.

Since 1984, the local government has changed 13,571 kilometers of old supply pipes, with the work being completed for 98.7 percent of the lines. Other than 37 kilometers of pipes in redevelopment areas, the remaining 138 kilometers of old ones are subject to the change.

As for the cause of the reddish tap water in Mullae-dong, the mayor said sediment from old supply pipes may have caused the water contamination and an investigation team comprised of private experts and city officials is now checking the insides of supply pipes with an endoscope.

Although the water quality of the apartment complexes is showing signs of stabilization, the city government remains cautious about whether to recommend residents drink the water.

“We will decide on the ban after discussing the issue with the investigation team and holding a meeting with residents,” Park said.

He also said the city government will offer financial support such as funding the replacement of faucet water filters and cutting water bills of those affected by the contaminated water.