Cheongdo County Leaps Toward a Clean "Water Prestige" City... Major Sewer Overhaul with 202.5 Billion Won BTL

Cheongdo County, known as a "clean area of blue mountains and clear waters," is making its utmost efforts to improve the local sewer environment despite facing various challenges, including a low level of fiscal self-reliance.

On November 25, Cheongdo County passed the review of the Private Investment Project Deliberation Committee for the "Qingdao Public Sewer Pipeline Private Investment Project (BTL)"-the first-ever BTL-type private investment project in the county's history-to expand the sewer coverage rate.

Through this project, Cheongdo County expects to dramatically increase the current sewer coverage rate from 64% to 88% upon completion of the project in 2029.

Bird's-Eye View of the Qingdao Public Sewer Pipeline Private Investment Project (BTL)

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◆ Innovative Improvements to Sewer Environment Through Private and New National Projects

Cheongdo County plans to select a preferred bidder early next year through the relevant procedures following a third-party proposal announcement scheduled for next month.

This project will install 183 kilometers of sewer pipelines, drainage facilities for approximately 4,700 households, 70 manhole pumping stations, and two small-scale treatment plants in areas currently not served by the local sewer system.

Cheongdo County confirmed the project by securing a budget ceiling of 202.5 billion won at the National Assembly plenary session at the end of 2024. Construction will begin in January 2027 and is scheduled for completion in December 2029.

The county is also striving to continuously promote national subsidy projects in the sewer sector.

For 2026, the Cheongdo-eup Deogam District Sewer Maintenance Project has been confirmed as a new sewer project, and Cheongdo County has secured 2.1 billion won in national funding.

Upon completion, 121 households will be newly included in the public sewer service area.

In addition, Cheongdo County is making all-out efforts to secure new national funding for previously unserved areas, such as the Geumgok District in Punggak-myeon (5.1 billion won) and the Nokmyeong District in Gaknam-myeon (1.4 billion won).

With the successive promotion of new sewer projects, Cheongdo County is proactively responding to the need for expanded treatment capacity at public sewage treatment plants.

The Cheongdo/Hwayang Public Sewage Treatment Plant expansion project (total project cost: 31.6 billion won) is scheduled for completion in 2026, increasing the current treatment capacity from 7,600 cubic meters per day to 12,800 cubic meters per day. The Punggak Public Sewage Treatment Plant expansion (total project cost: 13.9 billion won) will begin construction early next year, aiming to increase capacity from 800 cubic meters per day to 1,400 cubic meters per day.

◆ High Rate of Sewer Pipeline Aging... Turning Crisis Into Opportunity

It has been reported that 97% of the sewer pipelines in Cheongdo County are over 20 years old, one of the highest rates among local governments in Korea.

To prevent functional failures and inconvenience to residents due to the high level of aging pipelines, Cheongdo County conducts technical inspections of the sewer system every five years. Based on the results, the county carries out regular inspections and emergency repairs for pipelines deemed in need of monitoring and management.

The high rate of aging pipelines is also related to the necessity for repair and maintenance. Thus, Cheongdo County is making every effort to secure national funding for the maintenance of local sewer facilities.

The county is currently implementing the "Cheongdo County Old Sewer Pipeline Maintenance Project" (total project cost: 12.4 billion won) as a national subsidy project.

This project, which has been confirmed as a national subsidy initiative, will comprehensively repair 12 kilometers of old sewer pipelines, 374 manholes, and 211 drainage facilities. The project is in the final design phase and is scheduled to begin construction in February 2026.

Through this project, Cheongdo County aims to improve outdated sewer facilities, enhance convenience for residents, and contribute to creating a cleaner environment.

The county is committed to creating a safe sewer environment by regularly inspecting, promptly repairing, and maintaining sewer facilities, which are directly linked to residents' daily lives.

Additionally, Cheongdo County is striving to overcome its challenging financial conditions by promoting a wide range of national subsidy and private investment projects in the sewer sector. The county is pursuing these projects not merely as infrastructure management, but as a key initiative to improve living conditions and address population decline.

The future looks bright for Cheongdo County as it works to establish a safe and pleasant sewer environment.

Cheongdo County Governor Kim Hasu stated, "Despite our low fiscal self-reliance, we have laid the groundwork for increasing the sewer coverage rate from 64% to 88% by implementing the county's first-ever BTL public sewer pipeline project. This will enable us to transform into a refined and clean water city."

Governor Kim emphasized, "Once the project is completed, we expect to reduce the inconvenience of sewer use and significantly improve living conditions throughout the villages. We will listen carefully to residents' opinions and meticulously oversee every stage of construction to ensure that everyone can feel the change, taking full responsibility until the end."

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