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2026 Water Quality Testing of Water Purifiers at Senior Welfare Centers Finds All Units Compliant

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□ The Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment announced that water quality testing of all 161 water purifiers at senior welfare centers in Busan found every unit compliant with drinking water quality standards.

○ A comprehensive inspection of 161 water purifiers at all 35 senior welfare centers in Busan found that three units exceeded the standards during the initial testing, but all three were found compliant upon retesting.

□ The testing covered two parameters, total coliform bacteria and turbidity, in accordance with Article 2-2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Drinking Water Management Act concerning the installation and management of hot and cold water dispensers and water purifiers. Total coliform bacteria were detected in three water purifiers during the initial testing, but all three ultimately passed the subsequent retesting.

○ Total coliform bacteria are among the indicator microorganisms used to assess the risk of waterborne disease. Although they were detected in three water purifiers during the initial water quality testing, use of the units was immediately suspended, and corrective measures were taken, including filter replacement, cleaning and disinfection. No total coliform bacteria were detected during retesting, and all three units received final confirmation of compliance.

• ●When a unit exceeds the standards during the initial water quality testing, the Institute immediately suspends its use and conducts retesting after corrective measures such as filter replacement, cleaning and disinfection. Based on the retesting results, the Institute also provides on-site guidance on follow-up measures, including continued use, replacement or disposal, to ensure the safe management of water quality.

○ Turbidity, which indicates the degree of cloudiness in water, ranged from 0.04 NTU to 0.13 NTU, substantially below the drinking water quality standard of 0.5 NTU and therefore fully compliant.

** NTU, or Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, is a unit of turbidity determined by comparing the degree of light scattering with that of a reference sample. A higher degree of light scattering indicates greater turbidity.

□ Meanwhile, to ensure that children and infants have access to safe drinking water, the Institute has continuously conducted water quality testing since beginning with small-scale childcare centers in 2014. In 2024, it expanded the program to include Dahamkke Care Centers and Community Child Centers.

○ The Institute has also extended testing to facilities serving health-vulnerable populations that fall outside existing legal requirements. It proactively conducted water quality testing of water purifiers at Comprehensive Social Welfare Centers in 2025 and senior welfare centers in 2026.

□ Lee Yong-ju, Director of the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment, said, “The water quality testing of water purifiers at senior welfare centers used by many older residents across Busan confirmed that all units were safe. We will continue expanding the scope of testing to create an environment in which health-vulnerable groups and all residents can drink water safely wherever they are.”

□ He also emphasized, “During the hot summer months, following everyday hygiene and maintenance guidelines is more important than anything else to ensure that water from water purifiers is safe to drink.”

• ●Water purifier filters should be replaced regularly, and all parts that come into contact with water should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Water purifiers should not be installed outdoors, in direct sunlight, near restrooms, or in front of heating or cooling equipment. Users should not touch the dispenser nozzle with their hands or place their mouths directly on it.