Seoul is installing and enhancing firefighting facilities at mountain reservoirs to prevent forest fires and ensure rapid initial containment. This is a measure to prepare for fire risks like the 2022 Inwang Mountain fire in Jongno-gu, aiming to improve immediate response capabilities in case of forest fires where water supply is difficult.
Reservoirs are large water tanks that store tap water produced by Seoul’s water purification centers before supplying it to homes. They are located in high areas to ensure a minimum of 12 hours of continuous water supply even in emergencies like power outages or leaks. While urban fires can be suppressed by supplying water from nearby hydrants, forest fires often face challenges due to water shortages, making fire response using reservoirs crucial.
There are a total of 102 reservoirs in Seoul, with facilities storing 2,266,720 tons of tap water located in mountainous areas. In consultation with related agencies like the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, 11 reservoirs where firefighting facilities can be installed have been selected for priority implementation.
The firefighting facilities to be installed within the reservoirs consist of outdoor hydrants and fire pumps capable of ensuring adequate water pressure. Generally, the water pressure of outdoor hydrants should maintain at least 0.25 MPa at the nozzle tip. Thus, fire pumps and piping rooms will be installed together to secure proper firefighting water pressure.
Seoul has already completed the construction of firefighting facilities at the Sinjeong Reservoir in Yangcheon-gu and plans to carry out construction at the remaining 10 reservoirs within this year. Furthermore, 17 reservoirs where it is challenging to install firefighting equipment are also scheduled for additional projects, linked with the comprehensive maintenance and detailed design service for reservoir facilities planned for 2025-2026.
Lee Hwesung, the head of the Seoul Arisu Headquarters, stated that installing firefighting facilities in mountain reservoirs is crucial for early wildfire suppression, directly tying into citizen safety. He emphasized that they will continually inspect and reinforce the management system to ensure Seoul’s tap water is safely supplied from purification centers to homes.
Through this project, Seoul expects to significantly strengthen its wildfire response capabilities, constructing a new fire suppression system using reservoirs, and further solidifying the safety system for its citizens.