Busan is good

Busan City: 99.3% of Water Purifiers in Schools and Facilities Used by Health-Vulnerable Groups Found ‘Suitable’

내용

Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment announced that, based on water quality testing conducted last year on water purifiers in use at schools and facilities serving health-vulnerable groups within the city, 99.3 percent were found to be suitable.

Of the 1,174 units tested, 1,166 units (99.3%) met the Drinking Water Quality Standards.

This inspection has been carried out continuously since 2014 to ensure the safety of drinking water at facilities primarily used by health-vulnerable groups, including elementary, middle, and high schools, small-scale daycare centers, community childcare centers, and integrated community care centers in the Busan area.

In particular, since 2019, the Institute has conducted joint on-site inspections of school water purifier management with the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education. Beginning in 2024, the scope of inspections was expanded to cover facilities serving health-vulnerable groups more broadly.

The water quality testing items were total coliform bacteria and turbidity, in accordance with Article 2-2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Drinking Water Management Act.

According to the results, turbidity levels, which indicate the cloudiness of water, ranged from 0.03 to 0.25 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit), remaining below the tap water standard of 0.5 NTU for all units tested. However, total coliform bacteria, one of the indicator microorganisms for waterborne diseases, were detected in eight out of the 1,174 units, exceeding the water quality standards.

Of the eight units that exceeded standards in the initial test, three were immediately discarded. The remaining five were taken out of service immediately and underwent cleaning, disinfection, and other corrective measures. After retesting, all five were ultimately deemed suitable.

The Institute explained that when a unit exceeds standards in the initial test, its use is immediately suspended and corrective actions such as inspection and disinfection are implemented, followed by retesting. Based on the retest results, follow-up measures—including continued use, replacement, or disposal—are taken, along with on-site guidance to ensure safe management of water purifiers.

Lee Yong-joo, Director of the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment, stated, “This year, we will continue joint on-site inspections and water quality testing of school water purifiers in cooperation with the Office of Education,” adding, “We will also expand the scope of water quality testing to include senior welfare centers, creating an environment in which older adults who are more vulnerable to health risks can drink water with confidence.”

He further emphasized that the following hygiene practices are essential to ensure water quality safety of water purifiers:

Filters should be replaced regularly.
Parts of the purifier that come into contact with water should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
Purifiers should not be installed outdoors, in direct sunlight, near restrooms, or in front of heating or cooling units.
The faucet of the purifier should not be touched by hand or placed in contact with the mouth.