The Seoul city government said on Dec. 31 that it will issue a "freeze warning" level for water meters starting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, the first day of the new year.
The move is to prepare for potential water meter freeze damage and ensure a swift recovery response, as the low on the 1st is forecast to drop to minus 11 degrees. The freeze warning level is the third of the four-stage freeze advisory system and is issued when the low is forecast to be below minus 10 degrees for two or more consecutive days.
When level 3 or higher is issued, a "freeze response situation room" operates 24 hours a day. Along with eight waterworks offices and the Seoul Facilities Corporation, an emergency restoration system for freeze damage will be established.
The city said that when a water meter box is directly exposed outdoors, the risk of freezing is high, so the box should be filled with insulating materials such as old clothes and cotton to cover surrounding gaps. Targets include corridor-style apartments without windbreak windows and construction sites. The city also said that during cold waves, when going out, residents should take measures such as slightly opening the faucet to let water run.
If suspected signs of freezing occur, such as the water meter indicator breaking or swelling, reports can be made to the 120DasanCall Foundation, the local waterworks office, or the Arisu online customer center.
Ju Yong-tae, head of the Seoul Arisu Headquarters, said, "We will operate an emergency response system and do our best for swift restoration so that citizens do not experience inconvenience," adding, "Please actively cooperate with preemptive measures such as insulating water meters."