Questions/Answers

By increasing the reliability of tap water and making it widely available for drinking through 'Issuing clean tap water certification through free on-site water quality test,' this project was promoted to not only improve personal hygiene, but also to reduce carbon emissions caused by the use of bottled water and groundwater, and to greatly contribute to the prevention of global warming. Jeonju has conducted tests on water quality items for water pipe materials (10 items of heavy metals such as iron and copper) in 274 places targeted for aged apartment buildings in 2017. Although the result was 'appropriate,' there was still a sense of distrust due to the detection of trace amounts of iron. The distrust of tap water grew due to psychological factors such as negative media reports about tap water contamination and anxiety rather than the actual water quality test results. Through the free water quality testing service, any Jeonju citizen can apply for the <Tap water safety confirmation system> to directly check the quality of their tap water and create a proper drinking culture. In particular, by issuing <Clean tap water certification for apartment buildings> and water quality test report to old apartment buildings, we are intensively promoting clean, safe, and economical tap water to apartment residents and verifying the safety of tap water. The need to consider water quality tests for the vulnerable who could not apply for the <Clean tap water certification for apartment buildings> and the <Tap water safety confirmation system> while living in old buildings has emerged. To ensure the hygiene and safety of the elderly living alone, who are vulnerable to health, <visiting water quality testing for the elderly living alone> was conducted, and through this process, the free visiting water quality test service was provided.

The city of Jeonju has established a significantly strengthened international water quality testing system by promoting the legally compulsory testing required by the local government and free on-site water testing service, and conducts preemptive water quality tests. During the water supply process, it contributed to the efficient operation of administrative services by continuously identifying the contamination of tap water by the water supply pipe of the apartment buildings and the indoor water supply pipe. The results of the water quality test can be easily and readily checked by anyone on the website, bulletin board, or mail.

'Issuing a clean tap water certification through free on-site water quality test' ensuring universal and equitable access to water and securing sanitary safety by directly checking the quality of safe and clean tap water align with the 6th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), clean water and sanitation. By applying the strengthened water quality testing items to each household and old buildings, free water quality tests are conducted, paying special attention to the citizens who may be in particularly vulnerable situations for all Jeonju citizens. We are encouraging the participation of the local community to improve drinking water management in Jeonju by utilizing jobs for the elderly by signing an agreement with the Korea Human Resources Development Institute for the Elderly, and receiving voluntary applications and participation from the Residents' Autonomy Committee for Retirement Homes. From Yongdam Dam, the source of tap water used in Jeonju, to a series of water supply processes such as purification, waste water, and faucet water, the international water quality testing system has been significantly strengthened and integrated water quality management is being implemented.

From a social point of view, it is necessary to publicize it by sending an official letter to institutions such as social welfare facilities, and to visit the vulnerable, such as the low-income class and the disabled, so that no one is left behind for clean water and sanitation. From the economic point of view, free water quality tests are provided to support the cost of tests, so that the visiting water quality testing services are continuously utilized. The collection plastic-bottle used for water sample is recycled to promote sustainability as an eco-friendly project from the environmental point of view.

Jeonju has been informing citizens of the results of water quality tests through systematic water quality management through the media and the Jeonju website, but it's been difficult for citizens who are vulnerable to Internet use to check the results of the water quality tests. Also, it was difficult to relieve anxiety caused by negative media reports about pollution caused by the aging of the water tank and indoor water supply pipe in the apartment building rather than the actual water quality test result. The need for consideration for water quality testing of tap water in underdeveloped and marginalized areas has emerged. 'Issuing clean tap water certification for apartment buildings' check whether water quality is contaminated due to aging of the water supply pipe, and through the <visiting water quality testing for the elderly living alone>, the faucet water site tests and consulting are conducted by directly visiting the information-vulnerable who have difficulty using the Internet. The anxiety and inconvenience about tap water has resolved, and there's no one left behind in clean water and sanitation. So, citizens can easily apply for a water quality test and check the results online to directly check the safety of drinking tap water.

Women are relatively susceptible to various diseases without clean water during menstruation. The free visiting water quality testing service made it possible for anyone to use clean water without discrimination, not only for women living in old buildings, but also for the elderly, who have relatively weak access to information, and it was intended to guarantee the basic right to clean water and sanitation.

Jeonju citizens can now apply for a water quality test directly if they are curious about the quality of tap water. Also, it relieves anxiety about tap water through two-way communication in which citizens receive free quality testing of faucet water in each household and check the water quality of their own drinking water, rather than unilateral publicity. With the <Clean tap water certification for apartment buildings>, citizens can eliminate concerns and anxiety about water pollution caused by the aging of the old water tank and indoor water supply pipes in the old apartment buildings during the tap water supply process. We support the employment and social activities of the elderly by utilizing the jobs for the elderly. Priority visits to senior citizens with disabilities over 65 years of age who are vulnerable to health and residents living in retirement homes to check the hygiene status of faucets and verify the safety of tap water to ensure sanitary safety and improve the welfare of the elderly through disease prevention.

Jeonju is monitoring the water quality from source water to the tap water, but recently, the problem of larvae in tap water has become a problem, and distrust in tap water has grown, resulting in unreliability. Jeonju has set up a free water quality testing plan to directly visit the city to resolve this negative perception of tap water. Since 2015, the <Tap water safety confirmation system> has been implemented, allowing citizens who have concerns about tap water to apply for a water quality test. Water quality tests are conducted for 10 items such as turbidity and iron and public officials visit in person to collect samples and check secondary contamination caused by old pipes. When the water quality test is completed, the results are posted on the website for immediate confirmation. Since 2018, the <Issuance of clean tap water certification for apartment buildings> has been implemented, and applications have been received from not only some households living in aging apartment buildings, but also from apartment house managers and residents' autonomous committees. 59 items, which are all items related to waterworks implemented by the city, are tested. When the water quality test is completed, a <Clean Tap Water Certificate> is issued so that it can be posted on the bulletin board of the apartment building along with the water quality test report. Starting 2021, the <Visiting water quality testing for the elderly living alone> is being implemented for the elderly living alone who cannot directly file a water quality complaint. We identified the list of senior citizens living alone, visited them in person, and received a publicity for the policy and a written consent. At 200 places every month, 10 items including turbidity are tested and a report is sent.

The biggest obstacle is that they are unaware of the existence of these policies or that it is difficult for the elderly to apply. To solve the problem, Jeonju promoted the initiative through its own YouTube channel. Jeonju's monthly magazines and newspapers called 'Jeonju Daum' contributed to the <Tap water safety confirmation system> and <Issuing clean tap water certification for apartment building> to promote it so that Jeonju citizens could know accurately about the policy. Jeonju citizens are working hard to ensure that none of the policy recipients are marginalized and receive water quality testing.

The most important point is that it should be possible to derive accurate testing results citizens can trust. In the national proficiency test (AQC), Jeonju Drinking Water Quality Testing was selected as the top institution for more than six years, and strived to become a more innovative institution by securing publicity and credibility for its analytical capabilities. In order to make the water quality test results more reliable, the public officials visit in person and collect samples and show the test results, such as residual chlorine, which is an on-site measurement item, directly to citizens.

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In the case of 「Tap water safety confirmation system」, as a policy implemented by the Ministry of Environment, if anyone applies for water quality testing on the Water Love website (http://www.ilovewater.or.kr) or by phone, it will be sent to the relevant local official, and the public official who receives the application visit each household to conduct a free water quality test and inform them of the results. This policy is already being implemented in other regions. However, Jeonju has established that it is possible to apply through its own website and phone in addition to the Water Love website so that citizens can access it more conveniently and quickly. The number of testing items was also increased, and the nation's first clean tap water certificate was issued for apartment buildings and intensive visit testing were conducted for vulnerable households such as the elderly.

<Issuing of clean tap water certification for apartment buildings> and <Water quality testing for the elderly living alone> are policies implemented for the first time in our city, and if there is a drinking water quality testing institution within a city, country, or region, it can be implemented at any time. The items and standards for water quality testing differ depending on the country's environmental condition and food culture, so it can be set up according to the relevant laws. Even if there is no water quality testing agency, it is possible to request a water quality test in cooperation with a nearby water quality testing institute or laboratory in another area. We believe that there is a potential because our city institutions are also being commissioned to test water quality in other neighboring areas such as Sunchang and Iksan.

As the initiative is important to the operation of the laboratory, it costs KRW 50,000,000, including KRW 70,000,000, GC/MC, etc., for the repair and maintenance of a total of 12 high-tech analytical instruments every year for the purchase of laboratory items such as chemical substances or gas. For accurate test results, the instruments are calibrated every year and the cost of KRW 18,000,000 is required by entrusting them. All expenses are covered by the Jeonju city budget. In the case of <visiting water quality testing for the elderly living alone>, senior citizens' jobs are used to collect samples.

We reduce equipment maintenance costs to promote financial sustainability. As the aging of the equipment progresses, the frequency of equipment failure and replacement of parts increases, and repair costs are needed. Therefore, by contracting with a professional maintenance company to prevent malfunctions in advance, and to enable prompt response in equipment failures, large expenditures are prevented. With the mindset of supplying clean, high-quality tap water to all Jeonju citizens without anyone left behind, we promote institutional sustainability by increasing the number of people who conduct visit water quality tests.

Yes

Jeonju internally sets administrative performance evaluations and goals, and evaluates whether they have been achieved. In the case of this project, we set the target number of issuance of tap water quality certification for apartment buildings every year and check whether the target is achieved semi-annually. Performance measurement includes the number of test reports issued after water quality test.

In order to ensure that citizens can use clean and safe tap water, we conduct an annual free test of all waterworks (59 items of statutory water quality testing items) for residents of apartment buildings. If the test meets the water quality standards, a 'Clean Tap Water Certificate' is issued by the mayor of Jeonju. The set target value has to be achieved to receive this certificate. Based on the last three years, it was evaluated by setting goals for 2020 (154 locations), 2019 (150 locations), and 2018 (145 locations).

There are 642 apartment complexes in Jeonju. While urban development creates new apartments, there are still people living in old apartments. Among them, we implement all items of the legal water quality standards for waterworks, focusing on places where the buildings are old and poorly managed or where there are frequent complaints. If the water quality standards are met, a 'clean tap water certificate' is issued and posted for apartment residents to see, thereby relieving anxiety about tap water due to the aging of the building. In addition, citizens who have concerns about the tap water in their homes can apply through the city website, or the elderly who have difficulty using the Internet can apply directly through the phone application. About two weeks after sample collection, applicants can check the results of their tap water results on the website or by mail, and they are able to eliminate their worries about tap water and check its safety.

We are a member of the Jeonju Clear Water Business Headquarters, and have been certified by a nationally accredited water quality testing agency and operate efficiently. We have achieved the best institution in the National Water Quality Analysis Capability (AQC) hosted by the Ministry of Environment, and as a drinking water analysis institution, we regularly complete legal education and conduct internal evaluations to provide thorough verification of metropolitan waterworks and civil administrative services. In addition, our city has acquired ISO 14001, the International Organization for Standardization. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is evaluating compliance with international environmental standards for the overall waterworks business. It has undergone a follow-up management evaluation every year and is subject to renewal evaluation every three years to comply with the international environmental standards established by ISO.

Since 1998, we have held and operated the Tap Water Evaluation Committee, which consists of 14 members from civil groups, academia, educational institutions, city councilors, and journalists. In the Water Evaluation Committee, experts and citizens in each field report the annual water quality management plan, discuss the operation of waterworks, and reflect the recommendations in the waterworks policy. The overall project for the stable supply of metropolitan waterworks and the improvement of the reliability of tap water was reviewed. The fact that larvae were found in faucet water in other areas became a big issue. In order to prepare for any problems that may arise in Jeonju, we also there was a suggestion to carry out preliminary tests and facility improvement in the water supply stage. In the case of the <Water quality testing for the elderly living alone> project, an agreement was signed with the Korea Senior Human Resources Development Institute. By utilizing the elderly jobs, the elderly visits the elderly living alone and residents with disabilities and support social activities such as checking sanitary conditions and collecting samples so that they have a job and live a healthy life. We received a positive response from the evaluation committee.

Hasn't anyone ever wondered, 'Is the water we drink and use really clean?' We believe that it is our administrative agency's role to provide clean tap water to relieve the anxiety, and it has been very rewarding to share the results with the citizens. There was an incident when we visited and collected sample at a house to test the water after received a tap water safety confirmation system application. This applicant mentioned that he didn't know that the city was doing this kind of business before, but he applied for a test after seeing a publicity article. He also added that he was glad that he was able to get his tap water tested, and we were delighted to hear this response. Currently, related projects are promoted through newspaper articles, Jeonju YouTube, and Jeonju monthly magazines. Foreign language translation should be supported so that information can be delivered to foreigners residing in Korea as well as expanding the scope of publicity through SNS such as Jeonju's official Instagram, which is often used by young people. We believe that it will be an opportunity for various people to use tap water with pride.