Namhae-gun Stands Out as the Best Local Government in 'Budget Efficiency' This Year

Annual Savings of 5.1 Billion Won Through Local Water Supply Modernization Project

Namhae-gun, Gyeongnam Province, received the Grand Prize as the Best Local Government Nationwide in the '2022 Budget Efficiency Case Evaluation'.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] Namhae-gun, Gyeongnam Province, was selected as the best local government nationwide in the ‘2022 Budget Efficiency Case Evaluation’ conducted by civic groups and received the grand prize.

Namhae-gun was highly recognized for its achievement in reducing water leakage, saving 5.1 billion KRW in annual production costs, in the 2022 Budget Efficiency Case Evaluation hosted by the Taxpayer Movement for Proper Use of Taxes, and received a commendation on the 8th.

Namhae-gun has been implementing the ‘Local Waterworks Modernization Project’ over five years from 2019 to May 2023, investing a total of 27.8 billion KRW including national subsidies, in Namhae-eup and three myeon (Idong-myeon, Samdong-myeon, Changseon-myeon).

They established a block system that organizes pipelines in a grid pattern, computerized the water network map (GIS), and implemented a systematic management process by installing a real-time leakage monitoring system and a remote leakage monitoring system that enable replacement of aging pipelines based on data, thereby laying the foundation for continuous leakage management in the future.

Through the modernization project, Namhae-gun raised the water service rate from 31%, which was the lowest nationwide before the project, to 92%. This remarkable improvement of 61 percentage points has reduced leakage by approximately 2.6 million tons annually, saving 5.1 billion KRW in costs.

In particular, before the project, leakage problems in pipelines were severe, and water supply restrictions were implemented in 60% of the entire water supply area. However, through the modernization project, leakage was reduced, and water supply restrictions were completely lifted in July 2020, greatly contributing to the improvement of water welfare for residents.

Governor Jang Chung-nam said, “We will continue to strive to maintain efficient and sound finances and do our best to supply clean and stable water to the residents.”

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