Outdoor water purifiers and ice makers debut along the Ui Stream earthen trail from Tuesday through Oct. 31, dispensing water chilled to about 5 C and ice into personal tumblers and reusable containers
Gangbuk-gu in Seoul is launching "Gangbuk Oasis," a free outdoor drinking-water station along the earthen trail near Beolligyo Bridge on Ui Stream, offering cold water and ice to help residents cope with prolonged heat while cutting single-use plastic waste.
The station is an eco-friendly drinking-water facility where residents can fill personal tumblers or reusable containers with chilled water and ice. It operates daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31.
The district had previously run Gangbuk Oasis by handing out refrigerated bottled water through Monday, but switched Tuesday to outdoor water purifiers and ice makers. The new approach replaces disposable plastic bottles with reusable containers, combining heat relief with a reduction in plastic waste.
The district estimates the switch will save roughly 140 million won ($102,000) a year starting next year compared with the bottled-water model. Officials also expect the change to ease the environmental burden while making more efficient use of limited public funds.
The outdoor purifiers use a contactless dispensing system — the nozzle does not touch the container — and supply water chilled to about 5 degrees Celsius. Both the purifiers and ice makers are housed in a dedicated booth built to operate reliably in rain and high temperatures. No bottled water or disposable cups will be provided on site.
To keep the facility safe and clean, the district will station a team of "Oasis Guardians" drawn from its volunteer disaster-prevention corps. Six workers will rotate across three daily shifts, checking the equipment, tidying the booth area and guiding first-time users. As a pilot program making its debut this year, staff will also monitor for any inconveniences and collect feedback.
"I hope Gangbuk Oasis gives residents visiting Ui Stream a moment to cool off with cold water and ice," Gangbuk-gu District Mayor Jeong Chang-su said. "We will continue to find and carry out community-focused projects that bring small but meaningful improvements to residents' daily lives."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
