Seoul’s Tap Water, Arisu, Boasts World’s Representative Drinking Water Quality

Lee Hoe-seung, head of Seoul Water. (Photo: Seoul Water)

Arisu, dating back 110 years to the commencement of public water supply in1908, has positioned itself as a clean, fresh drinking water that represents Korea.

In 2016, it grew into the globally recognized brand “Arisu” by becoming the country’s first tap water to obtain the ISO 22000 certification on food safety management.

In order to maintain Arisu’s outstanding position, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has come up with comprehensive steps to supply clean tap water during the summer season.

The steps are being taken until Oct. 15 to focus on four categories, including shutting the inflow of small creatures against a spell of severe heat and downpours, inspecting water quality and facilities, and protecting of people in the vulnerable brackets.

They are in place to help Seoulites drink Arisu without misgivings during the summer season.

First of all, SMG is raising quality management levels in all processes during the summer season.

The processes, ranging from raw water to purification and distributing reservoirs, are being monitored around the clock year-round, and counter measures are in place according to each process.

The intensity of ozone disinfection will be raised, and backwashing frequency of the filter papers and the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) will be cut short to between two and five days while all purification centers will have insect-proof equipment inspected to thoroughly block the inflow of small creatures.

Tap water authorities have ramped up surveillance of tap water quality to adapt to temperature changes. Algae, taste, and smell warning systems are in place to deal with abnormal phenomena as fast as possible, since persisting a spell of severe heat and drought could increase algae, caused by rising water temperatures and declining water flow.

If a high-level algae phenomenon occurs at water resources conservation areas of the Han River, six purification centers are outfitted with high-precision treatment facilities capable of removing bad taste and smell substances, and suppling clean tap water.

When an algae warning was issued for the Han River in 2021 and the Paldang Reservoir in 2024, no complaints were reported because high-precision treatment facilities removed bad tastes and smells.

A whole view of the Ttukdo Tap Water Purification Center of the Seoul Water.

Tap Water Experts from 10 Countries Participate in Training Program

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) held a training program inviting tap water officials of overseas cities from May 19 to May 28.

The program was designed to promote SMG’s excellent tap water policies and technologies and ramp up international cooperation.

The 10-day program was attended by 14 tap water officials from 11 cities in 10 countries, including Taiwan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Bangladeshi, Vietnam, and Thailand and the Philippines.

Participants had first-hand experiences, such as water quality and water treatment processes.

A combined 291 people from 93 cities in 39 countries have participated in such educational programs in the past 12 years, spreading Arisu policies to the global stage.

Lee Hoe-seung, head of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarter said, “I’m pleased to share expertise policies and technologies related to Seoul’s Arisu and promote cooperation with overseas cities through the invitational educational program, and the program of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarter is expected to play a bigger role in mutual development among cities around the world in the years to come.”

A view of one of the two tap water faucets the Seoul Metropolitan Government has installed at Boramae Park, the venue of the Seoul Int’l Garden Show 2025 so that citizens and tourists can drink a fresh Arisu at a hot summer heat. (Photo: SMG)

Bring Tumblers to Venue of Seoul Int’l Garden Show 2025 to Use Arisu Faucets

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has installed two tap water faucets to offer Arisu to Seoulites and tourists.

Two visiting companion drinking faucets have made their debut at Boramae Park, the venue of the Seoul Int’l Garden Show 2025, so that citizens and tourists can drink a fresh Arisu at a hot summer heat.

They are advised to bring tumblers they use instead of using disposal items.

Drinking faucets have been installed at the three-way intersection in the front gate of the garden and beside the track of the Central Plaza of the park.