The Seoul Metropolitan Government will issue a freeze warning for water meters starting 9 a.m. on January 26, the first such third-level alert of this winter. The measure comes as temperatures in Seoul are forecast to drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius.
The warning level is the third of four stages in the city's freeze alert system, which ranges from "attention" to "caution," "warning," and "severe." Seoul will operate an emergency response headquarters around the clock, with eight waterworks offices and the Seoul Facilities Corporation participating in a 24-hour rapid recovery system.
As of January 23, a total of 242 water meter freeze incidents had occurred this winter. By location, apartments accounted for 199 cases (82%), followed by construction sites with 24 cases, detached and row houses with 15 cases, and other locations with 4 cases.
The city warned that corridor-type apartments without windbreak windows and construction sites face higher freeze risks as their meter boxes are exposed to the elements.
To prevent freezing, residents should install insulation materials in meter boxes and leave faucets slightly running when away for extended periods. When the daily minimum temperature falls below minus 10 degrees Celsius, it is effective to keep water flowing at a rate of about one disposable paper cup every two minutes.
If freeze damage is suspected—such as a cracked or swollen meter indicator—residents should report it immediately. Reports can be made through the 120 Dasan Call Center, local waterworks offices, or the Arisu Cyber Customer Center.
