Connecting Water Supply Pipes to 24 Traditional Temples in Seoul... "Providing Tap Water to High Altitude Areas"

Construction Completed from 2014 to July This Year ... Convenience for Temple Residents and Hikers Increased

View of the water pipe connection construction at Geumseonsa Temple located in Gugidong, Jongno-gu.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that it has completed construction and water pipe improvement works to supply tap water to three traditional temples: Bodeoksa in Seocho-gu, Bohyeonjeongsa in Jungnang-gu, and Geumseonsa in Jongno-gu this year. This enables not only temple residents but also citizens and hikers visiting the temples to use clean and safe Arisu tap water without inconvenience even in the mountains.

According to Seoul City, many traditional temples located in high-altitude areas have not been connected to the water supply due to the burden of installation costs, and have been using groundwater and valley water for drinking and daily use. Even where water supply was connected, some facilities required upgrades due to severe pipe aging.

Accordingly, Seoul City has connected water pipes to a total of 24 traditional temples from 2014 to July this year. The total length of these water pipes reaches 12,618 meters.

Bodeoksa, which completed construction in April, had been using groundwater for drinking until recently. However, facing worsening water pollution, the temple applied for construction to the city and was able to receive clean tap water by connecting 450 meters of water pipes.

Geumseonsa, which attracts not only believers but also many citizens and foreigners who enjoy temple stays in the city, was in urgent need of clean and stable water supply. The existing water pipes were double-insulated and exposed in rock sections, but due to severe aging, leaks occurred in many places and freezing damage repeatedly happened in winter. The Seoul Waterworks Headquarters completed a 300-meter water pipe improvement project last month, resolving Geumseonsa’s water supply inconvenience.

The construction to supply tap water to these high-altitude temples is known to be technically challenging because the sections often consist of rock and valleys, making excavation difficult, and water must be pumped to high locations. Additionally, due to their geographical characteristics such as being located in development-restricted zones, the approval process takes a long time, and when private land is involved, it is necessary to persuade landowners individually to obtain consent for land use, which is also a challenge.

Baek Ho, head of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarters, said, "Although there were many technical difficulties in the construction of temples located in high-altitude areas, we were able to proceed without setbacks thanks to the cooperation of related organizations and the efforts of our staff. As concerns about drinking water increase these days, we will realize universal water welfare by supplying clean and safe tap water without discrimination not only to each household but also to the mountain areas in high altitudes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.