The Seoul Metropolitan Government will invest a total of 727.1 billion won ($506 million) by 2028 to replace 343 kilometers of water pipes at high risk of leakage, the city said Tuesday, aiming to enhance the safety of tap water supply directly linked to residents' daily lives.
The initiative is a preemptive measure to prevent leaks, water discoloration and ground subsidence incidents that can occur in aging water pipes. Target sections were selected not only based on age but also by comprehensively reflecting leak history over the past 20 years, soil corrosivity, pipe characteristics and the presence of nearby large-scale construction.
Seoul will carry out the upgrades in phases, starting with 111 kilometers this year, followed by 115 kilometers in 2027 and 117 kilometers in 2028. Previously, the city invested 665 billion won over six years from 2020 to last year, completing the replacement of a total of 364 kilometers of water pipes.
Process management will also be strengthened to improve the quality of the project. A "pre-procedure implementation checklist" will be introduced from the planning stage to review measures for traffic congestion zones and the application of trenchless methods, with progress to be systematically managed through quarterly progress review meetings.
To prepare for potential safety accidents during construction, confined space work safety equipment will be secured at all sites, and safety training for workers will be reinforced.
"Water pipes are invisible, but they are critical infrastructure directly tied to citizens' safety," said Joo Yong-tae, head of the Seoul Arisu Waterworks Authority. "Through preemptive investment and systematic management, we will create a safe urban environment and do our best to provide a stable tap water supply."
