Seoul completes safety checks on water supply facilities ahead of monsoon season

With the monsoon season set to begin in earnest this month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has completed safety inspections of 422 water supply facilities and 12,720 high-risk water supply manholes in preparation for summer flooding and storm damage.

The city said Tuesday that this summer is forecast to bring above-average rainfall and more frequent heavy downpours than usual, meaning any damage to water intake and purification plants or other water supply facilities could directly disrupt tap water service to residents. A Seoul city official said the government had conducted advance checks on the safety of related facilities and its emergency response systems.

From May 11 to June 19 — a period of 40 days — the city carried out intensive inspections at 422 sites, including water intake and purification plants, distribution reservoirs, booster pump stations and major construction sites. The inspections covered three areas: facility safety management, surrounding environmental upkeep, and mechanical and electrical systems.

The inspections identified a total of 201 hazards. Of those, 133 urgent issues — including drainage sediment buildup, trees at risk of toppling and broken drainage pumps that could lead to flooding during heavy rain — were addressed on the spot. The remaining 68 cases, involving structural cracks, corrosion and other issues requiring repair or reinforcement, will be handled in stages under a separate plan.

The city also completed installation of entry-warning devices at 12,720 high-risk water supply manholes to ensure workers are alerted to dangers before entering. The move comes as June through August is the peak period for fatal confined-space asphyxiation accidents. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 40 of the 126 people who died in confined-space asphyxiation accidents between 2015 and 2024 — or 31.7 percent — died during those three months.

The newly installed devices are circular structures fitted beneath manhole covers. The city said it expects them to help prevent confined-space accidents by reminding workers of the importance of following safety protocols and checking for hazards before entering a manhole.

The city is also running a round-the-clock situation management system to protect facility safety and tap water quality even during severe weather such as heavy rain and typhoons. When a heavy rain advisory is issued, the city plans to conduct emergency inspections and strengthen step-by-step management of water purification processes to maintain the highest water quality standards.

Since last month, Seoul has been implementing a comprehensive summer plan for its Arisu tap water system to prepare for heat waves and heavy rain. The city conducts year-round, 24-hour monitoring of the entire process — from raw water intake through purification to distribution reservoirs — to guard against the growth of microorganisms caused by rising water temperatures, and has also expanded its water source surveillance system.

"With heavy downpours expected to be more frequent and intense than in previous years, we have completed safety measures for water supply facilities and high-risk manholes through preemptive inspections and maintenance," said Ju Yong-tae, head of the Seoul Arisu Headquarters. "We will continue to maintain thorough facility management and a rapid on-site response system to do our utmost to deliver stable Arisu service that residents can rely on."