Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Morgen]

Sometimes when I turn on the tap, the water flows fine for a moment but then sputters and stops, and then surges out bright orange. It makes a strange rasping noise as well. This lasts for a few minutes and then it gradually returns to normal. It happens in the faucets in the kitchen and bathroom, the shower, and the toilet -- basically all water sources. It started about a month ago and has been happening increasingly frequently since then. My dog and I are already living on and cooking with bottled water, but if I have to start bathing in it too, this is going to get expensive. Any idea what's going on?

[sarbonn]

I'm guessing that you have rusted pipes. That's where the orange color would be coming from. Without further info, that's about the best I can guess.

[Morgen]

Is there anything I can do about that? This place has been falling apart since I moved in; I'm just waiting for the day when I fall through the floor.

[Straphanger]

[mgafunnell]

you should only be using bottled water, anyway. korean water still has polio running through it. also, don't drink korean beer. same thing. how many hunched-over people have you seen in korea. they are that way for a reason.

[BS.Dos.]

You're not using 'tapwater' as a euphemism for piss are you? If so, lay off the Kimchi for a while.

[aquagirl]

I had the same problem as you and the landlord didn't consider it to be a serious enough problem to "fix" - in other words too expensive.
Go to Orga (www.orga.co.kr - get a Korean friend/coworker to help you) in Apkujeong/ Bundang and buy a filter for your shower (15 000). This will solve your bathroom problems, but keep using bottled water for cooking and drinks. Korean tap water (no matter what the Kwater campaigns say) is a haven for nasty bacteria and heavy metals. Not worth it! If you're buying small bottles of water get a Korean friend to order the large 18L bottles and get a hand pump. That way you'll only spend about 15 000 won per month for water and have it delivered to your home.

[IlIlNine]

Congratulations! You've been selected as a candidate for a new initiative in Korea to make it a more global hub! We, the Korean government, know that all foreigners like soda. In order to make your life more comfortable, we have decided to replace your water with Fanta! Well-being your life!

[bassexpander]

[BS.Dos.]

[sharkey]

you sure its orange water ? could be sunkist ? ^^

[Freakstar]

[sojourner1]

Sounds like you're in a very old crusty 1950's model apartment. There's nothing you can do to fix it other than move out as the place would have to have new plumbing out to the main line and they're not going to do that on an old place. I'm sure the land lord will do nothing and then after he dies, the places gets ripped up for a new development. So many old landlords won't do a thing to make the standard of living a bit more acceptable, because they don't have to.

A lot of old houses in America are like this now and it's no longer safe to drink the tap water like they've been doing for decades and bottled water is not cheap like in Korea and most other countries though WalMart has the best deals on big 2L bottles.

Just be thankful, you can get a 2L bottle of SamDaSoo spring water for about 1000 won, because you're not going to drink or cook with that yucky polluted crap tap water.

[Zutronius]

[espoir]