Water Source
We have secured an abundant supply of clean raw water
Daegu secures its water supply from the Nakdonggang River, Unmun Dam, Gachang Dam, Gongsan Dam, and the Wicheon Stream. Of these, the Nakdonggang River, which supplies the largest volume of raw water, flows around Daegu from the west and has long been the lifeline for Daegu’s people, providing water for both domestic and industrial use. Daegu can produce up to 1.57 million tons of water per day, with 900,000 tons (57 percent) from the Nakdonggang River, 350,000 tons (22 percent) from Unmun Dam, 90,000 tons (6 percent) from Gachang Dam and Gongsan Dam, and 14,000 tons (0.9 percent) from the Wicheon Stream.
We produce clean tap water.
Daegu currently operates eight water purification plants with a combined maximum daily production capacity of 1.57 million tons. The largest plant, Maegok Water Purification Plant, can produce 700,000 tons per day, followed by Gosan Water Purification Plant with 350,000 tons per day and Munsan Water Purification Plant with 200,000 tons per day.
As of the end of 2024, the average daily production was 880,000 tons, with a peak summer production of 970,000 tons, ensuring ample supply capacity. The entire production process at each plant is automated, from mixing, coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration to distribution, producing clean water through rigorous purification treatment
- We have installed and operate advanced water purification facilities
The phenol spill incident in the Nakdonggang River in 1991 necessitated more fundamental water quality improvement measures for Daegu's tap water. As a result, advanced water purification facilities have been installed and have been in operation at the Maegok and Munsan Water Purification Plants, which use the Nakdonggang River as their water source, and at the Gongsan Water Purification Plant, which uses Gongsan Dam as its water source. Advanced water purification facilities, which add extra scientific steps (ozone and powdered activated carbon facilities) to the current water purification process, completely remove odor-causing substances, carcinogens (THMs), and other dissolved impurities that are difficult to eliminate through conventional water treatment.
Advanced water purification facilities further improve water quality and enhance taste, enabling treatment of even highly polluted Grade 3 water sources. They also provide 100 percent readiness to handle sudden water pollution incidents like phenol contamination, ensuring safe tap water 365 days a year.
We safely supply tap water.
Currently, Daegu has 71 distribution tanks and a total of 8,740 km of pipelines buried throughout the city, ensuring a smooth supply of tap water.
Additionally, there are 276 booster stations that provide intermediate pressure to supply tap water to high-altitude and outlying areas.
The Waterworks Headquarters' ongoing lifestyle-integrated water service support programs and information technology projects to ensure safe tap water are as follows:
- Lifestyle-integrated water service support programs to ensure safe tap water supply
We are implementing various programs to support the cost of replacing aging pipes within homes and offer free support with the removal of rooftop water tanks as well as free leak detection and reduced repair fees for leaks in household water supply pipes. Additionally, starting in 2020, we have implemented a customized on-site water quality inspection service. Upon request from any private individual, we conduct an initial inspection of seven items (turbidity, pH, residual chlorine, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese). If the initial inspection is unsatisfactory, we will conduct a secondary inspection covering twelve items (initial items + general bacteria, total coliform bacteria, E. coli, ammonia nitrogen, and chloride ions). We strive continuously to enhance the people’s trust in their tap water.
- We are continuously promoting information technology projects for greater stability in tap water
supply.
To ensure a stable supply and provide citizens with high-quality water services, we have implemented information technology projects, including water distribution pipeline maps and various facility ledgers as well as a water network database for Daegu City. This initiative has several benefits, including in terms of real-time pipeline map verification; optimization of facility capacity; timely replacement of aging facilities and equipment, lowering of tap water production costs through facility investments towards greater efficiency, prevention of duplicate excavation and improved water loss rates; lower maintenance expenses for facility maps, various drawings and ledgers; and support for managerial decision-making during water supply planning. We have also established a foundation for a wireless network-based water pressure and quality measurement system.
People can drink Daegu’s tap water with confidence.
Despite Daegu's clean and safe tap water supply, some residents still seek out mineral water and commercially
available bottled water. Public opinion polls have revealed that this is due to a vague anxiety about the presence
of harmful substances in tap water. However, a closer look at the water quality management implemented throughout
the tap water production process will completely dispel these concerns.
Daegu's tap water undergoes rigorous quality testing at every stage, from source water to intake facility, water
purification plant, and finally to consumer taps.
In addition, a Tap Water Quality Evaluation Committee, composed of university professors, journalists, social organization personnel and other civilians, collects random tap water samples to ensure it is regular drinking water quality, with results disclosed to the media. It is worth noting that Daegu’s tap water has never been deemed unfit for consumption. Furthermore, when people have concerns about tap water quality, a mobile water quality inspection team is immediately dispatched to the site to conduct tests alongside citizens and show the water quality results.
