Seoul Waterworks Centennial - September 1, 2008


Title: Seoul Waterworks Centennial
Types: 1
Date of Issue: September 1, 2008
Quantity: 1.6 million stamps
Denomination: 250 won
Design: Arisu, Seoul’s tap water
Stamp No.: 2636
Photogravure, five colors: Offset, six colors
Size of Stamp: 26mm x 36mm
Image Area: 26mm x 33mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet Composition: 4 × 5 (140㎜ × 2 13㎜)
Paper: White Unwatermarked
Designer: KIM, Sojeong
Printer: Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation

The year 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the introduction of modern water supply system into Seoul.

At the end of 19th century, with the opening of Korea to foreign influences, both natives and foreigners flowed into cities, sharply driving up the volume of the urban population. Water from wells and rivers, which were then used as water for sustenance, proved insufficient to supply this growing population. Moreover, such waterborne epidemics such as cholera spread increasing the need to address the issue of hygiene. To tackle these issues, King Gojong in 1903 granted H. Collbran from the U.S. and H. R. Bostwick from England the right to install and operate water supply facilities, spurring the construction of the modern water supply facilities. After two years of construction works, water collection and treatment plants were built and water pipes were laid. As the Ddookdo water treatment plant was completed at a site which is now in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul city, 12,500㎥ water started to be supplied to 125,000 residents living within Seoul’s 4 gates and around the Yongsan area on September 1, 1908. This marks the beginning of the history of modern water supply system in Seoul. With the construction of this modern water supply system, numerous innovative changes were adopted: it not only provided water, but also prevented waterborne epidemics, reduced losses caused by fires and facilitated industrial activities. From then on, Seoul’s water supply system has been developed dramatically. As of the end of 2007, the volume of water production at six water treatment centers per day totalled 5.1 million ㎥, with the water-supplied population reaching 10.42 million. This is an immense quantitative growth from 1908, compared to which, water production volume increased 408 fold and water-supplied population, 84 fold. Under the brand name of “Arisu,” Seoul’s water supply system pursues the creation of new value, while at the same time, providing 10 million Seoul citizens with clean, safe and high-quality tap water through the Arisu quality certification system and introduction of increasingly advanced water treatment systems.

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of construction of Seoul water supply system, a new stamp is issued. It is hoped that all Seoulites can live a healthy and rich life through clean and safe water, and that we, who are living in a “water-stressed” country, can practice water conservation and live our daily lives with the spirit of loving and valuing water.