We have secured clean and abundant sources of water.
Daegu’s tap water comes from four water sources: the Nakdonggang River, Unmun Dam, Gachang Dam, and the Gongsan Dam. The Nakdonggang River, the largest source, hugs Daegu’s western boundary and has been a long-time lifeline of Daegu’s citizens, providing both drinking and industrial water. With 1.2 million tons of water (73%) from the Nakdonggang River, 350,000 tons (21%) from Unmun Dam, and 90,000 tons (6%) from Gachang Dam and Gongsan Dam, the region’s tap water is produced by the combined daily intake of 1.64 million tons of water.
Efforts toward the preservation of a clean water source
The most fundamental factor in supplying clean tap water is the maintenance of water quality. Currently, the quality of Daegu’s source water is rated at a BOD value below 3mg/L. This value indicates the amount of oxygen required by aerobic biological organisms in the water, and a value below 3mg/L places Daegu’s source water at a rating of Level 2. After undergoing a general purification process, including filtration and disinfection, the water from a Level 2 source is drinkable.
To further improve the quality of our water sources and prevent the introduction of pollutants, such as wastewater, a variety of measures are currently being planned. The Nakdonggang River basin, the city’s main water source, has been home to the Metropolitan Water Quality Data Exchange Council, an emergency network of organizations in the Nakdonggang River basin, and the automatic water quality analyzer since 1991. Upstream from the Unmun Dam, 92 wastewater processing facilities and one incineration plant were built between 1998 and 2011.
Upstream from the Gachang Dam, 15.7 kilometers of wastewater pipes, 129 individual purification centers, and 9 communal purification centers were built by 1993, while 36.5 kilometers of wastewater pipes and one intermediate wastewater pump site were built upstream of the Gongsan Dam between 1994 and 2001. Since a clean water supply depends on the preservation of its water sources, the City of Daegu will continue investing great effort in securing clean water sources.
To further improve the quality of our water sources and prevent the introduction of pollutants, such as wastewater, a variety of measures are currently being planned. The Nakdonggang River basin, the city’s main water source, has been home to the Metropolitan Water Quality Data Exchange Council, an emergency network of organizations in the Nakdonggang River basin, and the automatic water quality analyzer since 1991. Upstream from the Unmun Dam, 92 wastewater processing facilities and one incineration plant were built between 1998 and 2011.
Upstream from the Gachang Dam, 15.7 kilometers of wastewater pipes, 129 individual purification centers, and 9 communal purification centers were built by 1993, while 36.5 kilometers of wastewater pipes and one intermediate wastewater pump site were built upstream of the Gongsan Dam between 1994 and 2001. Since a clean water supply depends on the preservation of its water sources, the City of Daegu will continue investing great effort in securing clean water sources.
We produce clean tap water.
The City of Daegu currently operates six purification plants that, together, are capable of producing 1.64 million tons of water per day. Maegok Purification Plant, the largest of the six, can produce up to 800,000 tons per day, while the productivity of the Gosan and Munsan Purification Plants are 350,000 tons per day and 200,000 tons per day respectively.
As of 2012, the average daily productivity rate is 890,000 tons, while the maximum productivity rate in the summer is 1 million tons, which allows plenty of leeway in terms of the supply of water. The entire production process of each purification plant (mixing, collection, settling, filtration, and reservoir) is automated. All plants produce clean water through this strictly maintained purification process.
As of 2012, the average daily productivity rate is 890,000 tons, while the maximum productivity rate in the summer is 1 million tons, which allows plenty of leeway in terms of the supply of water. The entire production process of each purification plant (mixing, collection, settling, filtration, and reservoir) is automated. All plants produce clean water through this strictly maintained purification process.
Installation and operation of advanced water treatment facilities
The 1991 Phenol Incident at the Nakdonggang River forced the city to come up with a fundamental solution to the water quality issue. As a result, the Maegok and Munsan Purification Plants?for which the Nakdonggang River is the water source?were fitted with advanced water treatment facilities. The advanced water treatment facility includes an additional purification step (ozone and activated carbon filters) to the existing purification process, which allows for the complete elimination of odor-causing substances, carcinogenic compounds (THM), and other impurities that are difficult to remove through general purification.
With these advanced water treatment facilities, both water quality and taste are improved, and it becomes possible to process highly-polluted Level 3 water as well. It is also possible to mount a 100 percent-effective response to sudden water pollution incidents, such as phenol pollution, and safely enjoy clean drinking water year-round.
With these advanced water treatment facilities, both water quality and taste are improved, and it becomes possible to process highly-polluted Level 3 water as well. It is also possible to mount a 100 percent-effective response to sudden water pollution incidents, such as phenol pollution, and safely enjoy clean drinking water year-round.
We provide a safe supply of tap water.
Water that has been cleansed at purification plants is sent to residential areas via the nearest reservoir. Daegu currently has 51 reservoirs with 7,660km of water pipes running throughout the city, allowing for a balanced and wide-reaching supply of tap water across the city.
There are also 94 booster stations that supply tap water to hilly and outlying areas around Daegu via intermediate boosting. As such, Daegu is fully equipped with fully sufficient facilities for tap water distribution and works hard to maintain them as well.
There are also 94 booster stations that supply tap water to hilly and outlying areas around Daegu via intermediate boosting. As such, Daegu is fully equipped with fully sufficient facilities for tap water distribution and works hard to maintain them as well.
Supplying safe tap water
To ensure clean and clear tap water, the purification plants and the Water Quality Research Institute conduct regular quality inspections of water sources and purified water. Constant inspections of tap water are conducted based on 175 standards that are stricter than the legally required standards. Also, to prevent pollutants from entering the water supply after purification, the city is continuously repairing and replacing old water pipes.
As of 2012, repairs were completed on 3,642 km of piping, and an additional KRW 45.1 billion won will be invested to repair 136km of old pipes.
As of 2012, repairs were completed on 3,642 km of piping, and an additional KRW 45.1 billion won will be invested to repair 136km of old pipes.
Munsan Purification Plant
| Facility capacity | Project cost | Facilities built | Project period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200,000 tons/day | KRW 177.5 billion (Daegu: 166.6, state: 10.9) billion |
4 ozone contact sites, 10 activated carbon absorption sites |
2000.10 ~ 2009. 8 |
Maegok Purification Plant
| Facility capacity | Project cost | Facilities built | Project period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700,000 tons/day | KRW 63.8 billion (Daegu: 31.9, state: 31.9) billion |
4 ozone contact sites, 24 activated carbon absorption sites, 1 intermediate booster station, 1 activated carbon regeneration facility |
1994.12 ~ 1998.5 |
Stable supply of tap water
To provide a stable supply of tap water and high-quality waterworks services to Daegu citizens, the city is currently computerizing/informatizing all relevant data on drainage and water supply pipe networks as well as each waterworks facility. A water pipe network database for the entire city of Daegu was completed in December 2003. The database provides numerous benefits, such as allowing the real-time monitoring of the pipe network, optimization of facility capacity, and the timely replacement of aging facilities, as well as reducing the cost of producing tap water through the rationalization of facility investment. The database also prevents overlapped digging, improves water flow rates, reduces the maintenance cost of various floor plans (i.e. facility blueprints, inventory records), and assists the supervising employees’ decision-making process when planning various types of waterworks facilities. Currently, plans are underway for a wireless network that will act as the foundation for a pipe network and systems for measuring water pressure and quality.
You can drink tap water at ease.
Polls have found that, despite the supply of clean and safe tap water in Daegu, there are still citizens who buy mineral water and commercial spring water due to a vague anxiety that the city’s tap water contains harmful substances.
However, by taking a look at the water quality management process that forms an integral part of tap water production, all such distrust will disappear. The tap water in Daegu is subjected to strictly conducted water quality tests throughout all steps of the production process, from the intake center and the purification plant to the faucets of private homes.
Furthermore, the Tap Water Quality Evaluation Committee, which is made up entirely of private citizens, including university professors, journalists, and social organizations, randomly collects samples from the water supply and tests it regularly for use as drinking water. The results of these tests are published by mass media outlets, and Daegu tap water has never once received a negative rating. Also, whenever a citizen expresses doubt about the quality of their tap water, a water quality civil complaint inspection unit is immediately dispatched to the site, where it inspects and determines the water quality together with the citizen who made the complaint.
However, by taking a look at the water quality management process that forms an integral part of tap water production, all such distrust will disappear. The tap water in Daegu is subjected to strictly conducted water quality tests throughout all steps of the production process, from the intake center and the purification plant to the faucets of private homes.
Furthermore, the Tap Water Quality Evaluation Committee, which is made up entirely of private citizens, including university professors, journalists, and social organizations, randomly collects samples from the water supply and tests it regularly for use as drinking water. The results of these tests are published by mass media outlets, and Daegu tap water has never once received a negative rating. Also, whenever a citizen expresses doubt about the quality of their tap water, a water quality civil complaint inspection unit is immediately dispatched to the site, where it inspects and determines the water quality together with the citizen who made the complaint.
121 - civil complaint-exclusive hotline
Civil complaints regarding Daegu’s waterworks total a yearly average of 54,000, displaying a gradual increasing trend. To more proactively handle this increase in civil complaints concerning the water supply, the City of Daegu is currently operating a hotline exclusively for civil waterworks complaints.
In order to file a civil complaint regarding the city’s waterworks (faucet malfunction, impure water, damaged meter, water leak, etc.) or express suspicions concerning tap water quality, you only need to dial 121, without an area code. The 121 Civil Complaint Hotline receives calls 24-hours a day, and an inspection team is dispatched to solve the problem as soon as the complaint has been received.
In order to file a civil complaint regarding the city’s waterworks (faucet malfunction, impure water, damaged meter, water leak, etc.) or express suspicions concerning tap water quality, you only need to dial 121, without an area code. The 121 Civil Complaint Hotline receives calls 24-hours a day, and an inspection team is dispatched to solve the problem as soon as the complaint has been received.