160 billion won next year, up 5% from previous year
Major overhaul of 889 km of pipes more than 30 years old
New water supply networks for four areas including Banyong and Bangye
Aging facilities at Cheongsang and Hoeya water treatment plants to be upgraded
Ulsan has drawn up a record 160 billion won ($121 million) special account budget for its water supply operations next year, aiming to deliver safe drinking water to residents under the city's "Goraesoo" brand. Goraesoo is the official brand name for Ulsan's tap water, which undergoes advanced purification at the Hoeya and Cheongsang water treatment plants before being piped to homes and businesses.
The budget represents a 7.5 billion won increase — about 5 percent — over the 152.5 billion won allocated for 2026. Funding will come from water-rate revenues accumulated through tariff increases between 2022 and 2025, as well as central government grants for aging-pipe rehabilitation.
At a press conference Tuesday, Ulsan announced that next year's water supply program will focus on three priorities: a major overhaul of aging water pipes, expansion of water supply to outer urban areas, and repair and renovation of water supply facilities.
Drawing on the newly allocated budget, the city plans to upgrade its water infrastructure and extend service coverage to provide residents with improved water supply services.
Ulsan's total water pipe network currently stretches 3,773 km, of which about 889 km — roughly 24 percent — are pipes more than 30 years old. The city has earmarked 10.6 billion won as a priority to replace aging pipes across 13 areas.
The aging-pipe rehabilitation program will draw not only on the city's own budget but also on 52 billion won in support from the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, to be invested through 2032.
The city has also set aside 1.8 billion won to flush and clean water pipes in six areas, including the Daun district of Jung-gu, to extend the service life of the infrastructure and ensure water quality.
An additional 7.4 billion won has been allocated to extend water supply to outer urban areas that currently rely on stream or groundwater and are vulnerable to water shortages and contamination. Four communities will gain access to the city water network as a result: Banyong village in Beomseo-eup (278 households), Bangye village in Ungchon-myeon (59 households), Yulhyeon village in Cheongnyang-eup (78 households), and the area around Sangbuk Middle School in Sangbuk-myeon (55 households).
Alongside this, 15.2 billion won has been set aside to upgrade aging equipment at 24 facilities, including the Cheongsang and Hoeya water treatment plants, the Seonam and Mugeo reservoirs, and the Gangdong pumping station, to improve safety and operational efficiency. A project to lay a parallel transmission pipeline along the 5.14 km Hoeya water supply route will also continue, strengthening the foundation for a cleaner and more stable water supply.
The city has further budgeted 300 million won for a consulting study on an AI-based water supply master plan, in line with Ulsan's industrial AI transformation initiative. The study will chart a course for upgrading every stage of the water supply chain — from source water intake through purification, transmission, distribution and delivery — using AI-driven systems tailored to Ulsan's needs.
"Water supply is infrastructure that directly affects residents' daily lives," Administrative Vice Mayor Seo Nam-gyo said at the press conference. "We will push ahead without delay on the aging-pipe overhaul, outer-area water supply expansion, and facility repairs and renovations reflected in the 2027 budget, and build a more stable water supply system."
cityblue@heraldcorp.com
