Korean Job Discussion Forums

[weatherman]

go ahead and do it. I've been in those situations and the tap does me a load of good. Yet to have the trots from the stuff, but then I can count on one hand how many times I have done so. drink away!

[just because]

[AbbeFaria]

I did have a few mouthfuls of the tapwater, couldn't help it. Aside from a kind of..heartburn type feel, it turned out okay. I will be looking into having water delivered though, that will make things so much easier. Thanks for all the advice.

-S-

[taejonguy]

I work for the Korea Water Resources Corporation (KOWACO)...the water is safe when it leaves the facilities. In fact it is safer than In North America as it is treated to remove 275 impurities which is more than America's 102, Canada's 205 and Australia's 251 (as of 2004).

However, the problem is in water delivery. Many of the pipelines, especially in old cities, have cracks or even breaks in them. This allows seepage of water out and contamination into the pipes. As a result, the provincial and city governments in charge of consumer distribution (KOWACO is a wholeseller, they are the retailers) allow the water to be less than pure in some areas. One thing that you may notice is a strong chlorine odor...this is to ensure there is no organic contamination.

My apartment complex checks the tap water from several random apartments monthly and tests the water. I have been living here almost three years (previous apartments also tested) and it has always fell within the legal guidelines.

Saying that, I too have a water purifying machine and rarely drink straight from the tap.

KOWACO has greatly improved the water systems in Korea over the last 5-10 years. It takes a great deal of time to change people's opinions. It is especially difficult as they are not the end supplier and thus do not conduct advertising or PR campaigns...

Feel free to check out their website, especially the International Water Analysis Center under "Technology": http://english.kowaco.or.kr/