The Incheon Metropolitan City Waterworks Authority will temporarily shut down the Namdong water treatment plant to replace an intake valve.
The shutdown will run for 72 hours, from 10 a.m. on Nov. 24 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 27.
Despite the shutdown, the authority said water supply to existing service areas will continue without interruption through a water-system switchover.
The Namdong plant serves all of Namdong-gu and Yeonsu-gu, as well as parts of Jemulpo-gu (Geumchang, Manseok, Songlim, Songhyeon and Hwasu-dong), Bupyeong-gu (Sipjeong, Bupyeong, Bugae and Ilsin-dong), Sohae-gu (Gajwa, Gajeong, Seongnam and Sinhyeonwonchang-dong) and Michuhol-gu (Dohwa, Munhak, Juan and Gwangyo-dong).
To prepare, the authority will pre-fill reservoir tanks to maximum capacity and carry out a phased water-system switchover from 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 — one day before the shutdown — through 10 a.m. on Nov. 27.
During that period, the Gongchon, Bupyeong and Susan water treatment plants will supply water in place of the Namdong facility.
However, changes in water flow and pressure during the switchover may cause temporary discoloration — known as red water — in some areas.
The authority said it will intensively monitor sections where flow velocity changes, conduct preemptive fire hydrant flushing and strengthen water quality monitoring to prevent any water quality incidents.
Emergency water supply centers will also be set up at the authority's headquarters and at district waterworks offices, with bottled Incheon Sky Water and water-tanker vehicles on standby.
Residents in elevated areas of Michuhol-gu and Namdong-gu are asked to conserve water, as reduced pressure during peak usage hours could lower water volume or cause temporary supply cuts in those neighborhoods.
Anyone facing a shortage of drinking water can visit a nearby community welfare center to receive bottled Incheon Sky Water.
"Large-volume consumers such as apartments and schools should close their intake valves in advance if necessary to prevent discolored water from entering storage tanks," an authority official said. "If discolored water continues to flow from the tap, please report it immediately to the Michuhol Call Center or the relevant district waterworks office."
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
