Creating a Stream at Seoul Yangcheon Park Using Discarded Groundwater

Dedicated pipeline 238m installed, daily inflow expected 242t ... Monthly water bill reduced by 5.72 million KRW

Yangcheon Park Stream

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 29th that it has created an artificial stream about 100 meters long in Yangcheon Park, Yangcheon-gu, by utilizing discharged groundwater that was previously discarded into the sewage system.

Discharged groundwater is groundwater that naturally flows out during the development of underground spaces such as buildings and subways. The city promoted a pilot project in Yangcheon Park with the goal of efficiently utilizing the discharged groundwater that was being wasted to reduce tap water usage and realize a virtuous cycle of water resources, completing construction last October.

The city installed a dedicated pipeline about 238 meters long to bring the discharged groundwater up to the park. Through this, it is expected that up to 242 tons of discharged groundwater will flow into Yangcheon Park daily. This water will be recycled not only for the artificial stream within the park but also for watering the lawn plaza, park greenery, and for restroom use. If the same amount were to be used as tap water, it would cost about 5.72 million KRW per month (7,260 tons), so a reduction in water bills is anticipated.

With large-scale underground development continuing in Seoul, the amount of discharged groundwater increased from 167,000 tons per day in 2014 to 189,000 tons last year. As of 2019, 59,000 tons of discharged groundwater are discarded daily into the sewage system, which translates to an annual sewage treatment cost of 21.6 billion KRW at water recycling centers.

The city has been researching ways to revitalize discharged groundwater and has utilized it for cleaning water to reduce fine dust, landscaping water, and emergency water supply for civil defense. In March this year, the city also proposed amendments to the 'Groundwater Act' to the government, which include advancing the timing for submitting discharged groundwater usage plans for buildings and expanding the mandatory use targets for discharged groundwater.

Additionally, to encourage active use of discharged groundwater in the private sector, the city will prepare the 'Seoul Discharged Groundwater Utilization Guidelines' by March next year. These guidelines will include priorities for usage purposes, usage procedures, and facility installation methods for utilizing discharged groundwater from the planning stage of buildings and facilities.

Kim Jae-gyeom, Director of the Water Circulation Policy Division of Seoul, said, "Although the amount of discharged groundwater generated by underground space development is continuously increasing, most of the discharged groundwater from buildings is still being discarded into the sewage system. We will recognize discharged groundwater in urban areas as a water resource and lead various utilization projects in the public sector first."

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