Kim Tae-gyun, the head of the Seoul Waterworks Authority. (Photos: Seoul Waterworks Authority)

Seoul’s tap water, “Arisu,” has been confirmed to meet the highest standards on the quality of drinking water.

According to the report titled “2020 Report of Arisu Water Quality,” published by Seoul Waterworks Authority in June, outcomes of water quality examinations, conducted by Seoul Water Research Institute, showed that Arisu passed standards on the quality of drinking water.

A view of the cover of the 2020 Arisu Quality Report.

Seoul Waterworks Authority conducts water quality examinations for 171 indicators, which is more than the 164 indicators recommended by the World Health Organization.

Examinations on raw water, conducted every month of last year, on the Paldang Dam to Jamsil Reservoir found it was classified into an “Ib” (good) grade.

The quality of raw water is divided into seven categories, including an “Ia” (excellent) grade for below 1 in BOD levels according to water environment standards on stream water.

Examinations on purified water found that it passed water quality standards.

Examinations on 450 faucets across the capital, conducted once each month involving 70 locations in Arisu’s supply stages showed that Arisu met water quality standards on a drinking water.

Outcomes of precision examinations on household faucets found that no pathogenic microorganisms, nine inorganic harmful substances, including lead, and 15 organic substances, including phenol, were detected.

The “2020 Report on Arisu Water Quality” was posted it on the website of the Seoul Waterworks Authority.

The report offers policies on tap water and information beneficial to citizens, including on raw water and water quality of each water purification center and each ward office.

SMG plans to secure reliability toward Arisu by divulging water quality in a transparent fashion and operating the free water quality service system, dubbed “Arisu Quality Certification System.”

Under the free water quality service system, citizens can check their tap water quality by calling each ward’s waterworks office or 120.

Kim Tae-gyun, head of the Seoul Waterworks Authority, said, “Raw water and purified water of Arisu, Seoul’s tap water, have been managed in a safe fashion, and proactively offering related information will eliminate citizens’ vague distrust toward the tap water.”

Small Business Owners Have Their Tap Water Charges Reducted

Small business owners and merchants will be given a discount in charges of half of tap water amounts they will consume during the period between July and December.

The step is designed to ease the economic burden facing small business owners and merchants grappling with difficulties, caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small business owners and merchants using about 257,000 tap water meters will benefit from 28 billion in a reduction in tap water charges.

Faucets with a consumption of 300 tons or less on a monthly average will qualify for the reduction in tap water charges. Households and public organizations will not be qualified for the benefit.

A whole view of the Seoul Waterworks Authority building.