Seoul City to Support Up to 90% of Installation Costs for 'Bitmul Jeogeumtong'... 300 Million Won Invested This Year

Environmental Protection, Recycled for Landscaping and Cleaning Water, Expected Savings on Water Bills
Up to 20 Million Won Support for Schools and Apartment Complexes

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will start accepting applications for installation cost support for ‘Rainwater Piggy Banks’ (rainwater utilization facilities), which collect clean rainwater discarded into the sewage system and use it for cleaning or landscaping water, starting from the 18th.

From this year, the city plans to divide the area into four zones for efficient and sustainable use, regularly inspect the management and utilization status of the ‘Rainwater Piggy Banks’ (rainwater utilization facilities), and provide guidance on maintenance and usage to alleviate residents’ inconveniences.

Selected applicants can receive 90% of the installation cost (based on the standard installation cost) depending on the building type. The support amount is up to 2.17 million KRW for small personal rainwater utilization facilities, and up to 20 million KRW for schools and apartment complexes, with applicants only needing to bear 10% of the installation cost.

The ‘Rainwater Piggy Bank’ (rainwater utilization facility) is a facility that collects rainwater falling on roofs and other areas to be used where needed. The collected rainwater can be used for various purposes such as watering vegetable gardens, flower beds, or cleaning yards, thereby reducing tap water usage. Additionally, it helps reduce the load on the sewage system during rainfall, prevents water pollution, and alleviates urban environmental issues such as the heat island effect.

Seoul has been distributing rainwater piggy banks since 2007 and has supplied 1,161 units to date. This year, with a budget of about 300 million KRW, it plans to support 59 small personal units and 9 units for schools and apartment complexes.

In addition to installation, education and promotional activities on the importance of rainwater reuse will be strengthened targeting students and residents within complexes. This aims to raise community awareness and increase active participation by encouraging citizens to promote and participate in rainwater education themselves.

Furthermore, on-site activities and monitoring management of rainwater piggy bank facilities will be enhanced. Together with the Seoul 50 Plus Foundation, the city will recruit a ‘Rainwater Management Support Group’ to support post-management such as usage surveys, usage guidance, and repair handling. Citizens interested in participating can visit the Seoul 50+ Portal.

Citizens wishing to install the facilities can submit application documents to their respective district offices and the Seoul Metropolitan Government starting from the 18th. Once confirmed as a support target, installation costs will be subsidized. Detailed information can be obtained from the Seoul Water Circulation Policy Division or the relevant rainwater-related departments of the district offices.

Kim Jae-gyeom, head of the Seoul Water Circulation Policy Division, said, “As water shortages worsen due to climate change, installing rainwater utilization facilities not only saves water but also contributes to environmental preservation. We hope for active participation from citizens who wish to use rainwater regularly.”

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