Dongjak-gu, First Autonomous District to Develop 'Rainwater Drain Filter'

Developing a Method for Easy Garbage Collection Anytime Through a 'Change of Perspective' Approach

Installation of Drainage Grate Filters Along the Roadside at Soongsil University Food Alley

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on the 15th that it has developed a filter net to prevent trash from entering roadside storm drains.

In November, the district will pilot install the trash prevention filter nets on about 100 storm drains. The target locations were prioritized in busy areas with many complaints about odors and high foot traffic, such as the alleys of Seongdae Market and the dining streets around Soongsil University.

The filter net will be placed over the top of the storm drain to block trash before it enters the drainage system, and periodic dredging will be conducted simultaneously.

The storm drain filter net, introduced for the first time by the autonomous district, originated from concerns about cleaning storm drains. Despite regular inspections and cleaning, trash such as cigarette butts still frequently accumulated.

Cleaning approximately 19,000 storm drains in the area each time required significant manpower, suction vehicles, and equipment, and the dredging process took a long time, causing a vicious cycle where trash would accumulate again.

Amid the difficulties of managing numerous storm drains, the district developed the filter net as an easy-to-clean solution. Combining ideas from residents, it was made using a rubber band method and flame-retardant materials.

Through this change in approach, the district transformed existing storm drains with eye-catching colors to prevent illegal dumping, and decided to cover the storm drain lids with the filter nets so that accumulated trash can be removed all at once.

Additionally, to prevent flooding, the district has designated about 4,400 storm drains and 42 routes totaling 27 km in length as special management routes, strengthening patrols and inspections.

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “We recognize the importance of managing storm drains and ask for active cooperation to eradicate illegal cigarette butt dumping. We will continue to manage storm drains diligently to create a clean and safe Dongjak-gu.”

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