Improvement of Water Supply Systems in Rural Areas and Islands
Improvement of Water Supply Systems in Rural Areas and Islands
In the past, Korea's water supply system mainly focused on the regions of concentrated population and such policy direction led to the 98.5% water supply rate in metropolitan areas. However the rate in rural areas and islands has stayed at 30%, which is one-third of the coverage in metropolitan areas. As a result, people living in rural areas and small islands - the areas of low precipitation in particular - have often been challenged by severe water shortage even during the periods of moderate drought. In this backdrop, the Ministry of Environment has been making several efforts to reduce the water supply disparity among regions by implementing effective policy measures while making appropriate investments.
■ Water supply system in farming & fishing communities
Since 1994, Korea has been promoting the waterworks development project in 215 locations with a total investment of 800 billion Won (640 million USD). The goal is to expedite the water supply rate to 50%, which is a 34% increase from 16% in 1994.
■ Investment Plan for Waterworks Improvement in farming & fishing communities (billion KRW)
Number of waterworks
Investment
Total
215
800.0 (400.0)
~2002
144
444.6 (222.2)
2003
25
120.0 (56.0)
2004
30
142.3 (71.2)
2005~
16
101.0 (50.6)
*Amount in () shows the budget covered by local governments
■ Water Supply System in Islands
Small islands, located in remote distance from the mainland, are often faced with many barriers in maintaining proper water supply system. In order to resolve such challenges, Korea is promoting various water supply development projects in 133 locations including: development of river source areas; construction of water treatment facilities; and installation of desalination systems. These projects, of which the implementation budget is estimated at 448.8 billion Won (390 million USD), will be carried out from 1997 to 2005.
■ Investment Plan for Waterworks Development in Small Islands (billion KRW)
Number of waterworks
Investment
Total
133
448.8 (134.6)
~2002
87
173.1 (51.9)
2003
17
71.9 (21.6)
2004
19
66.4(19.9)
2005
10
137.4 (41.2)
* Amount in () shows the budget covered by local governments
■ Investment Plan for Desalination Project in Small Islands (billion KRW)
Number of desalination plants
Investment
2003
47
17.2
2004
8
6.3
2005
11
6.4
■ Waterworks Development in Small & Mid-sized Cities
Korea is making 916.5 billion (797 million USD) investment for the rehabilitations of waterworks facilities in small & mid-sized cities during 1996 to 2005. With the investment, the Ministry aims to increase the local water supply rate in stages to reach 95% coverage.
■ Investment Plan for Water Supply Improvement in Small & Mid-sized Cities (x billion)
Number of waterworks
Investment
Total
81
916.5 (504.0)
~2002
75
780.4 (380.6)
2003
16
126.4 (66.5)
2004
7
36.9(20.2)
2005~
10
44.8 (36.9)
*Amount in () is covered by the central government loan
In continuous efforts to expand waterworks system to the areas of insecure water supply such as fishing/farming communities and small islands, the Government of Korea plans to launch a 10-year investment plan of approx. 1.93 trillion Won (1.6 billion USD) starting in 2005. The investment will encompass rehabilitation projects in about 370 locations.
Furthermore, MOE is currently developing the "Mid & Long-term Investment Plan to Resolve Tap-Water Supply Discrepancy." Successful implementation of the plan will result in doubled supply rate (60~70%) in suburb areas including farming & fishing villages and small islands
Regulation
ISTEK Main Products
