The waterworks in Gwangju has grown to supply 780,000 ㎥ a day since it stated with 800 ㎥ a day capacity in 1920s. The distribution system of waterworks can largely be divided into three: water source, water treatment Plant and distribution process. The water source is a facility to supply source water for the drinking water which include stream, lake (reservoir) and ground water. In case the Gwangju, more than 95% is from the lake and most of it is from Lake Dongbok. The water from Lake Juam is shared with other municipalities in Jeonnam including Sunchon, Yeosu, and Mokpo.

Gwangju City has total of three water treatment plants.DeoknamWater Treatment Plant (440,000 ㎥ per day treatment capacity) treats the water from Lake Juam; Yongyeon Water Treatment Plant (240,000 ㎥ per day treatment capacity) treats the water from Lake Dongbok; Gakhwa Water Treatment Plant (20,000 ㎥ per day treatment capacity) to treat water from No. 4 Reservoir in front of Sanjang. In the distribution process, there are distributing reservoirs which distribute the water throughout the city and pumping stations which pumps water to higher elevations (for example, entrance to Mt. Mudeung ? Mudeung Park Hotel) and various size water pipes.

With the above facilities, we are making sure there is no problem to use them as source water for the drinking water at all times by implementing various efforts to keep them clean. The water sources for Gwangju are in good condition as there are no factories or industries in the upstream area preventing inflow of any hazardous material to the human body. However, massive algal (phytoplankton) bloom occurs as they are lake waters. We are overcoming the problem with scientific approach. Currently, they maintain relatively good water quality as Water Supply Source Class 2. In the water treatment Plant, water purifying chemicals are automatically injected and the drinking water is supplied to each home after though quality control for each process. We constantly monitor the water contamination for 24 hours a day.

For water quality test of the drinking water, we are performing daily water tests from the water source, water treatment plant, distribution reservoir, to the taps at homes. In particular, Gwangju City examines even more items than required by the nation to ensure safety of the drinking water. The tap water in Gwangju City is meeting all water quality standards recommended in the United States, Japan, and WHO not to mention the water quality standard in Korea.

Even though the tap water is the safest water to drink, the rate of citizens drinking out of tap is relatively low compared to the water quality, but rate is still higher than other cities. We are endeavoring to inform the citizens of the drinking water and actual quality of it. For more information, you can refer to the internet home page of the Water Research Institute or other public relations bulletins. You can also use the water quality test by combined team of public-private partership or the mobile water quality test vehicles which visit homes and schools to test water with citizens. In recent years, we send the water test results to the apartment management offices and publish them at places where residents can easily see.

Authority’s effort is essential to drink safe tap water but citizen’s participation is also required which include regular cleaning of the water tank, replace and cleaning of old water pipes (indoor piping) and preventing water contamination activities such as car washing at a water source.

There are many way to test the presence of harmful material in the drinking water. Evaporation reside is done with a clean porcelain container. First the dry weight of the evaporation dish is measured. A know volume of water is poured into the dish and boiled until dry. Then the evaporation dish is measured. A quick and easy way at home is to pour some water in a porcelain bowl and take a close look, and check the taste or odor of the water.

As there are many methods to test water, 57 items by the national standard and 22 items by the Department of Environment drinking water standard, it is hard to evaluate in one way. There is beneficial component in the water, while there are harmful components as well. Therefore only harmful components should be removed from the water treatment process.

Please refer to the home page (Bit Yeoul Water Information Hall > Water Story > Water Quality Q&A)for more information.