ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE WATER SUPPLY AND WATERWORKS INSTALLATION ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.

Article 1-2(Procedures for consultation on use of water for agricultural and fishing villages as raw water) #

Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deems it necessary to use the water for an agricultural or fishing village under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Agricultural and Fishing Villages Improvement Act, as raw water in accordance with proviso of subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), he or she shall hear the opinion from the general waterworks business operator for the area and without delay consult with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs thereon. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on May 14, 2012]

Article 2(Scope of wide-area waterworks) #

(1) The scope of wide-area waterworks the State may install pursuant to subparagraph 7 of Article 3 of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on May 14, 2012>

1. Supplying water using multipurpose dams, dams, etc. for water supply as its water source to ensure the reasonable use and distribution of water resources;

2. Supplying water by altering the watercourse system under the direct jurisdiction of a municipality;

3. Supplying water to a local government where an industrial complex defined in Article 2 of the Industrial Sites and Development Act is designated;

4. Supplying water across the jurisdictions of two or more Metropolitan Cities/Dos.

(2) The scope of wide-area waterworks that local governments may install pursuant to subparagraph 7 of Article 3 of the Act shall be restricted to the supply of water upon jointly installing waterworks facilities by such local governments upon agreement among them.

Article 3(Installation of village waterworks) #

"Waterworks prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 9 of Article 3 of the Act means waterworks which meet the standards established by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and is managed by a local government or a waterworks association that is a waterworks business operator with water-purification facilities that may treat raw water to meet the water quality standards under Article 26 (2) of the Act in order to supply drinking water, etc. to residents in the jurisdiction. <Amended on May 14, 2012; Apr. 22, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 4(Scope of facilities not defined as private-use waterworks or private-use industrial waterworks) #

"Daily water supply volume and the scale of their facilities fall short of the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of subparagraph 12 of Article 3 of the Act and the proviso of subparagraph 13 of that Article means any of the following cases:

1. Where daily water supply volume is less than 20 cubic meters;

2. Where the scale of facilities falls within any of the following categories:

a. The diameter of the pipeline from the water source to the water tank is less than 25 millimeters;

b. The total length of the pipeline from the water source to the water tank is less than 1,500 meters;

c. The effective capacity of the water tank is less than 100 cubic meters.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 30, 2014]

Article 5(Authority to formulate Seoul metropolitan area readjustment plans) #

"Person prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 5(1) of the Act means the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (referring to a Special Self-Governing Province Governor who is not a waterworks business operator), the head of a Si/Gun (excluding the head of a Gun in a Metropolitan City), or a waterworks association, which operates integrated waterworks business.

[This Article Added on Apr. 22, 2025]

Article 6(Matters Requiring Approval to Revise Plans for Waterworks Installation and Management) #

"Important matter prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the latter part of Article 5(3) of the Act means the following: <Amended on Mar. 30, 2021; Jul. 11, 2022>

1. Basic guidelines concerning waterworks installation and management;

2. Matters concerning mid-and long-term supply of and demand for tap water;

3. Matters concerning the development of wide-area water sources;

4. Matters concerning areas to which tap water is supplied;

5. Preservation of water sources and the designation and management of water-source protection areas;

6. Capability to supply waterworks;

7. Implementation priorities of water services;

8. Cleaning, improvement, replacement, etc. of aging tap-water pipelines;

9. Deleted; <Jun. 8, 2011>

10. Matters concerning integrated water service districts in areas where the operation of wide-area waterworks and local waterworks need to be integrated.

[Title Amended on Jul. 11, 2022]

Article 7(Prior Review of Plans for Waterworks Installation and Management) #

Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to grant approval of a plan for waterworks installation and management under Article 5 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "plan for waterworks installation and management") or approval for any modification thereto in accordance with paragraph (3) of that Article, he or she may request in advance the Korea Environment Corporation under the Korea Environment Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Environment Corporation") or the Korea Water Resources Corporation under the Korea Water Resources Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Water Resources Corporation") to examine technical aspects thereof, such as the appropriateness of size of facilities, and hear opinions thereon. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2009; Nov. 26, 2010; Jul. 11, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Jul. 11, 2022]

Article 8(Special Cases concerning Formulation of Plans for Waterworks Installation and Management) #

(1) "Do Governor, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, the head of a Si/Gun, or a waterworks association prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 5(6) of the Act means the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor" in this Article), the head of a Si/Gun, or a waterworks association; provided, in the case of integration of waterworks business, it shall mean a person under Article 5: <Amended on Apr. 22, 2025>

1. Where tap-water pipelines extend over the jurisdictions of at least 2 of the Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan Cities, Special Self-Governing Cities, or Sis/Guns (excluding Guns in a Metropolitan City), the Mayor/Do Governor, the head of a Si/Gun, or a waterworks association, who is determined upon consultation among relevant Mayors/Do Governors, the head of a Si/Gun, or waterworks associations operating waterworks business in the jurisdictions;

2. Where tap-water pipelines extend over the jurisdictions of at least 2 Sis/Guns that belong to the jurisdiction of different Dos or Special Self-Governing Provinces, notwithstanding subparagraph 1, the Do Governor, the Special Self-Governing Province Governor, the head of a Si/Gun, or a waterworks association, who is determined upon consultation among relevant Do Governors or Special Self-Governing Province Governors.

(2) Where the consultation under the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) is not reached, the person classified as follows shall formulate a plan for waterworks installation and management: <Amended on Jul. 11, 2022; Apr. 22, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1.Where a Mayor/Do Governor is included in the parties to the consultation, the Mayor/Do Governor, the head of a Si/Gun, or a waterworks association designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in consultation with the Minister of the Interior and Safety;

2. Where a party to the consultation is the head of a Si/Gun or a waterworks association, the head of a Si/Gun or a waterworks association designated by the Do Governor or a Special Self-Governing Province.

(3) Where a person designated in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) formulates or modifies a waterworks installation and management plan, he or she shall publicly notify the details thereof without delay and notify the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment thereof. <Amended on Jul. 11, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 8-2(Formulation of integrated plan for waterworks business) #

(1) The integrated plan under Article 5-2(2) of the Act shall be formulated by the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor who is determined upon consultation of the relevant Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayors, Special Self-Governing City Mayors, Do Governors, or Special Self-Governing Province Governors (referring to the Special Self-Governing Province Governor who is not a waterworks business operator; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article).

(2) Where consultation under paragraph (1) is not reached, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in consultation with the Minister of the Interior and Safety shall formulate an integrated plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 5-2(3)6 of the Act means the following:

1. Annual implementation plans for measures of management rationalization under Article 5-2(3)4 of the Act and measures of improvement of waterworks services under subparagraph 5 of that paragraph;

2. Financing plans;

3. Other matters deemed necessary by the relevant Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayor, Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Do Governor, or Special Self-Governing Province Governor for the integration of waterworks business.

[This Article Added on Apr. 22, 2025]

Article 9(Prior review of comprehensive plans for water demand control) #

`Article 7 shall apply mutatis mutandis where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to grant approval of a comprehensive plan for water demand control, or any revision thereto, of the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, a Do, or a Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/Do") in accordance with Article 6 (1) of the Act. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 10(Other matters to be included in implementation plans for water demand control) #

"Others prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 6(2)4 of the Act means the following:

1. Plans for establishing a water use billing system (limited to plans established by the head of a Si/Gun) under Article 12(2) of the Act;

2. Plans for replacing, repairing and upgrading defective water gauges (limited to plans devised by the head of a Si/Gun).

Article 11(Designation of water source protection areas) #

(1) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to designate or modifies water source protection areas in accordance with Article 7 (1) of the Act, he or she shall take into account characteristics, geographical features, and degree of water pollution of the relevant water source. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment has designated a water source protection area or has modified the designation thereof in accordance with Article 7 (2) of the Act, he or she shall publicly announce the following, and send the details thereof to the relevant Special Self-Governing City Mayor, the relevant Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu (referring to the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply): <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Name of the relevant water source protection area;

2. Location and size of the relevant water source protection area;

3. Name and address of an entity that has built water services facilities within the relevant water source protection area;

4. Other necessary matters for preserving the water quality of water sources.

(3) Where a water source protection area is designated and publicly announced pursuant to paragraph (2), the Mayor of the relevant Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of the relevant Special Self-Governing Province or the head of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu shall make such information available for public perusal, and shall publicly notify the land register of the land located within the relevant area and make such publication available for public perusal within six months from the date of such public announcement. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012>

(4) Matters necessary for the designation and public announcement of a water source protection area and public notice of the land register under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 11-2(Hearing opinions of residents) #

(1) When intending to designate or modify water source protection areas in accordance with Article 11, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall hear the opinions of residents, and when such opinions are deemed reasonable, he or she shall reflect them in designating or modifying the water source protection areas. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to hear opinions of residents in accordance with paragraph (1), he or she shall notify the relevant Special Self-Governing City Mayor, the relevant Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu of matters under the subparagraphs of Article 11(2). <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Mayor of a Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of a Special Self-Governing Province and the head of a Si/Gun/Gu notified pursuant to paragraph (2) shall publicly announce the details thereof in the web-site of the relevant Special Self-Governing City, Special Self-Governing Province and Si/Gun/Gu (referring to an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply) and daily newspapers mainly distributed in the relevant area and make them available for public perusal for 14 days. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012>

(4) A person that has an opinion about the details of the designation or modification of a water source protection area which are publicly announced or made available for public perusal under paragraph (3) may submit an opinion to the Mayor of the relevant Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of the relevant Special Self-Governing Province or the head of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu in writing or in an electronic manner such as through information and communications networks or by e-mail, within the period for public perusal. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Jul. 11, 2022>

(5) Where opinions are submitted in accordance with paragraph (4), the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of each Si/Gun/Gu shall compile and submit them to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the opinion presented in accordance with paragraph (4) and notify the person who presented the opinion of the results thereof within 30 days from the expiration of the period of public perusal. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 12(Prohibited acts within water source protection areas) #

(1) "Prohibited activities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 7 (3) 2 of the Act means the following activities: <Amended on Apr. 3, 2008; Nov. 26, 2010; May 31, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Pasturing livestock;

2. Swimming, bathing, washing clothes, operating boats (excluding operation of boats, including water-purification activities and investigations of water quality and ecosystem, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment) or leisure activities using water surface;

3. Playing, camping, or cookouts;

4. Catching or farming fish or shellfish; provided, fishing prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Environment, conducted by persons prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment shall be excluded;

5. Washing cars;

6. Growing crops in an area that is defined as a river area under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the River Act; provided, growing environment-friendly agricultural products, as defined under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Environment-Friendly Agriculture and Fisheries and the Management of and Support for Organic Foods (excluding fishery products; hereinafter the same shall apply) in accordance with the certification standards under Article 19(2) or 34(2) of the aforementioned Act shall be excluded herefrom.

(2) Where any person has obtained a license or permission or filed a report for catching or farming fish or shellfish in a water source protection area in accordance with other statutes and regulations as at the time the water source protection area is designated, he or she may catch or farm fish or shellfish according to the details of such license, permission or report, notwithstanding paragraph (1)4, until the period of validity of such license, permission or report expires.

(3) In applying the proviso of paragraph (1)6, where the Mayor of a Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of a Special Self-Governing Province or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu publicly notifies that it is inevitable to use more agrochemicals than the prescribed amount under the certification standards referred to in Article 19(2) or 34(2) of the Act on the Promotion of Environment-Friendly Agriculture and Fisheries and the Management of and Support for Organic Foods due to damage from harmful insects to environment-friendly agricultural crops in the process of cultivation under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of that Act, the use of agrochemicals in accordance with such publication shall be deemed to conform to the proviso of paragraph (1)6. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; May 31, 2013>

Article 13(Criteria for granting permission to conduct activities within water source protection areas) #

(1) Where a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu intends to grant permission to conduct any activity falling under any subparagraph of Article 7(4) of the Act within a water source protection area, he or she may grant such permission to conduct any of the following activities insofar as such activities are deemed not in conflict with the purposes of designation of the water source protection area: <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Nov. 28, 2014; Apr. 11, 2017; Nov. 24, 2020; Jun. 14, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Constructing or installing any of the following buildings or structures:

a. Constructing or installing buildings or other structures necessary for public interests;

b. Constructing or installing buildings or other structures prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, which are necessary to improve a living environment or to increase income of residents living within the relevant water source protection area;

c. Constructing or installing buildings or other structures prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, which are to be jointly used or are needed by residents living within the relevant water source protection area;

d. Remodeling or reconstructing buildings or other structures for purposes (referring to purposes classified in accordance with Article 2(2) of the Building Act; hereinafter the same shall apply) and in sizes prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, within the limits not causing higher levels of pollutants than that of a former case;

e. Relocating buildings or other structures removed due to the construction of village facilities, facilities of public interests, common-use facilities, or public facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment within the relevant water source protection area;

f. Relocating a building, which is inevitable due to natural disasters, including frequent floods, or relocating a house located in an area where a living environment is extremely poor, with high noise levels from highways or railways, into neighboring land or village. In such cases, land in which the house used to be located shall be reverted to farmland or greenbelts;

g. Removing or relocating an existing house built on the land owned by another person prior to the designation of a water source protection area, the extension or remodeling of which is not allowed due to a failure to obtain consent thereon from the owner of the land, into a neighboring village of the water source protection area;

Article 14(Acts to be reported within water source protection areas) #

Insignificant activities that can be done upon filing a report to the Mayor of a Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of a Special Self-Governing Province or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu pursuant to the proviso of Article 7(4) of the Act are as follows: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Aug. 13, 2024>

1. Removing buildings or other structures, except for water supply or sewerage facilities, environmental pollution prevention facilities, or management facilities of water source protection areas;

2. Cultivating or felling trees within residential areas;

2-2. Felling standing timber and bamboo for cultivating agricultural crops in the land where the land category is dry paddy field or paddy field;

3. Repairing facilities for agricultural improvement, or altering the shape or quality of land, such as molding to improve arable land;

4. Restoring buildings or other structures damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, into their original states;

5. Converting the use of factories (referring to a factory as defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act; hereinafter the same shall apply), lodging facilities or general restaurants into houses or warehouse facilities.

Article 14-2(Scope of regions in which factory establishment is restricted) #

"Area prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 7-2(1) of the Act means the following areas: <Amended on Mar. 30, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the relevant water source protection area has been designated and publicly announced;

a. Where the capacity of water intake facilities is less than 200,000 cubic meters per day: An area within 10 kilometers of drift upstream from the boundary of the water source protection area;

b. Where the capacity of a water intake facility is at least 200,000 cubic meters per day: An area within 20 kilometers of drift upstream from the boundary of the water source protection area; provided, the area specified in item a shall apply where water sources prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment are supplied as a metropolitan water source after the receipt of such water sources;

2. Where a water source protection area has not been designated or publicly announced: An area within 15 kilometers in flow distance from the water intake facility (excluding the water intake facility prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, which supplies the water source to metropolitan water sources) towards the upper stream and an area within 1 kilometer in flow distance towards the downstream;

3. In cases of taking the groundwater in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Groundwater Act as raw water, regions within one kilometer from the water intake facility.

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 14-3(Scope of regions approved for establishment of factories) #

"Regions prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the former part of Article 7-2(3) of the Act means any of the following: <Amended on Jan. 16, 2018>

1. Regions exceeding 7 kilometers in flow distance from the water intake facility towards the upper stream, among those falling under subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Article 14-2;

2. Regions exceeding 4 kilometers and within 7 kilometers in flow distance from the water intake facility towards the upper stream, among those falling under subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Article 14-2, excluding a river defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the River Act or a region within 500 meters from the border of lakes defined in subparagraph 14 of Article 2 of the Water Environment Conservation Act.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 28, 2014]

Article 15(Management of water-source protection areas) #

(1) The Mayor of a Special Self-Governing City, the Governor of a Special Self-Governing Province or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu who manages a water source protection area shall secure facilities, equipment, and human resources necessary for the preservation of water sources, and shall take necessary measures to crack down on prohibited acts or to prevent water pollution. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012>

(2) Standards for securing the facilities, equipment, human resources, etc. under paragraph (1) and other matters necessary for the management of water source protection areas shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 16(Special cases for management of water source protection areas) #

(1) "Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8(2) of the Act means the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor"), or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu classified as follows: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Apr. 22, 2025>

1. Where water source protection areas extend over at least two Sis/Guns/Gus under the jurisdictions of the same Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan City, or Do, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, who is determined upon consultation of the heads of the relevant Sis/Guns/Gus;

2. Where water source protection areas extend over at least two Cities/Dos, a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, who is determined upon consultation of the relevant Mayors/Do Governors;

3. Where water source protection areas and an area to which tap water is provided from the aforementioned water source extend over at least two Sis/Guns/Gus under the jurisdictions of the same City/Do, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, who is determined upon consultation of the relevant heads of Sis/Guns/Gus;

4. Where water source protection areas and an area to which tap water is provided from the aforementioned water source extend over at least two Cities/Dos, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, who is determined upon consultation of the relevant Mayors/Do Governors.

(2) Where consultation held under paragraph (1) 1 and 3 fails to reach agreement, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu designated by the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over the area at issue shall be in charge of managing the relevant water source protection area, while a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in consultation with the Minister of the Interior and Safety shall be in charge of managing the relevant water source protection area, where consultation held under paragraph (1) 2 and 4 fails to reach agreement. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 16-2(Technical review of water quality management plans for water sources) #

Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to review the validity of the water quality control plans in accordance with Article 8-2(2) of the Act, he or she may request the Korea Water Resources Corporation to review technical aspects, such as measures to reduce pollution loads, and hear its opinions. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 21, 2023]

Article 17(Procedures for formulation of resident support programs) #

(1) Where the Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu who manages a water source protection area (hereinafter referred to as "Management Authority") intends to execute a resident support program in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Act, the Management Authority shall formulate a plan for the resident support program, which includes the following matters (hereinafter referred to as "program plan"), and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment by no later than April 15 of the preceding year. In such cases, if the Management Authority differs from a waterworks business operator, such Management Authority shall formulate the program plan after hearing opinions of such waterworks business operator: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The objectives of the project;

2. The outline of the project;

3. Population and socioeconomic characteristics of an area subject to the program;

4. A financing plan;

5. The plan to undertake the project and the need thereof;

6. Other matters necessary for the implementation of a residents support program.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall consult with the head of a relevant agency, such as the Ministry of Planning and Budget, about the details of a program plan formulated and submitted by the Management Authority and National subsidies, and if the budget for National subsidies is determined, the Minister of Environment shall notify the Management Authority of the amount of subsidies and the breakdown thereof. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2008; Oct. 1, 2025; Dec. 30, 2025>

(3) If the head of a Si/Gun/Gu intends to revise important matters of a program plan approved under the latter part of paragraph (1), it shall obtain prior approval from the relevant Mayor/Do Governor. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012>

Article 18(Types of residents support programs) #

The types of residents support programs under Article 9(2)1 through 4 of the Act, are as stipulated in Appendix 1.

Article 19(Contributions from waterworks business entities) #

(1) Waterworks business entities prescribed by Article 10(1)1 of the Act shall be as follows:

1. Waterworks business entities supplying final consumers with raw water directly or after purifying it;

2. Waterworks business entities purifying raw water and supplying purified water to other waterworks business entities.

(2) Contribution from each waterworks business operator in accordance with Article 10(2) of the Act shall be the amount calculated as determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment each year, within the range of 5/100 of the sales revenue from water service calculated by multiplying the volume of a raw water intake in the year before the preceding year in which a residents support program was implemented by the national average price of purified water, which had been purified and provided by the Korea Water Resources Corporation for 2 years preceding the year in which a residents support program has been implemented. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment makes a public notice in accordance with paragraph (2), he or she shall hear the opinions of the Management Authority in advance. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Each waterworks business operator shall contribute the amount of contribution computed in accordance with paragraph (2) to the Management Authority prior to the beginning of every business year.

Article 20(Subsidies from special account for environmental improvement) #

Under Article 10(3) of the Act, the State may subsidize, from the Special Account for Environmental Improvement, a part of the incurred expenses for a residents support program up to 30/100 of the total amount of the expenses incurred in the residents support program.

Article 21 #

Deleted. <Jan. 26, 2012>

Article 22(Types of water pollution prevention facilities) #

"Water pollution prevention facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 11(1) of the Act means the following facilities established and managed by the State, a local government, or the Korea Water Resources Corporation: <Amended on Sep. 27, 2007; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Public treatment facilities defined in subparagraph 9 of Article 2 of the Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta;

2. Public sewage treatment facilities defined in subparagraph 9 of Article 2 of the Sewerage Act;

3. Other facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, as water pollution prevention facilities.

Article 23(Expense bearing standards) #

(1) Expenses incurred in the management of water source protection areas and the operation of water pollution prevention facilities under Article 11(1) of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Labor costs and operation costs of facilities and equipment necessary for the management of water source protection areas;

2. Expenses incurred in the installation maintenance and management of signs, guard posts, and hazard prevention facilities necessary for the management of water source protection areas;

3. Expenses incurred in the maintenance and management of water pollution prevention facilities;

4. Other expenses prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, as necessary for the management of water source protection areas.

(2) The amount of expenses to be borne under paragraph (1) shall be computed based on the volume of raw water intake. <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010>

Article 23-2(Reduction of or exemption from water charges for disasters) #

(1) Waterworks business operators may reduce or exempt water charges within the necessary extent, taking into consideration the scope of areas in which damage has occurred due to a disaster, the period necessary for restoration, etc. in accordance with Article 12-2 of the Act.

(2) Detailed matters necessary for reduction or exemption of water charges, such as subjects eligible for reduction or exemption of water charges and reduction or exemption rate thereof under paragraph (1), shall be prescribed by the terms and conditions of water supply under Article 38 of the Act (including cases to which that paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis in accordance with Article 50 of the Act); provided, if a waterworks business operator is a local government, it shall be prescribed by ordinance of the relevant local government.

[This Article Added on Jan. 21, 2025]

Article 24(Hygiene and safety standards) #

Hygiene and safety standards referred to in Article 14(1) of the Act are as stipulated in Appendix 1-2.

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 24-2(Use of materials or products for waterworks) #

(1) "Materials or products for waterworks which meet standards prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 14 (3) of the Act means any of the following: <Amended on Oct. 28, 2011; Nov. 23, 2011; Aug. 13, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A product accredited under Article 15 of the Industrial Standardization Act;

2. A product that has obtained collective standards accreditation under Article 27(2) of the Industrial Standardization Act, which is an exemplary collective standards product under Article 25 of that Act;

3. A product that has obtained collective standards accreditation under Article 27(2) of the Industrial Standardization Act, which is accredited by the Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Association") under Article 56 of the Act;

4. A product that has obtained the certification of an environmental grade mark under Article 17 of the Environmental Technology and Industry Support Act;

5. A product that has obtained the certification of new technology or new products under Article 15-2 or 16 of the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act;

6. Deleted; <Nov. 23, 2011>

7. Other materials and products publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as deemed appropriate to be used as materials and products for waterworks.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)1 through 7, no materials and products publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment as inappropriate to be used as materials and products for waterworks shall be used as materials and products for waterworks. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 24-3(Designation of inspection agency) #

(1) "Standards prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as technical manpower, facilities, and equipment" in Article 14-3(2)2 of the Act means the standards for designation of inspection agencies under Appendix 1-3.

(2) "Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as location and the company name" in Article 14-3(3) of the Act means the following matters:

1. Location of the office or laboratory;

2. Company name;

3. Its representative;

4. Technical personnel.

(3) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as methods of inspection, keeping and preserving the result of inspection, and the period of inspection" in Article 14-3(5) of the Act means the matters to be observed by inspection agencies specified in Appendix 1-4.

[This Article Added on Nov. 24, 2020]

[Previous Article 24-3 moved to Article 24-4 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-4(Procedures for recommendation to collect products) #

(1) Where, in accordance with Article 14-5(1) of the Act, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment recommends a business entity who manufactures, imports, supplies, or sells materials or products for waterworks (hereinafter referred to as "products, etc.") to take measures to collect destroy, exchange, refund, or improve the relevant products, etc. or to take other necessary measures (hereinafter referred to as "collecting, etc."), he or she may make a recommendation in writing (including electronic format) including the following matters: <Amended on Jun. 12, 2018; Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The name of the company and the name of the representative thereof;

2. The name, brand, and model name of the products, etc.;

3. The reasons and details of the recommendation on collection, etc.

4. The deadline to notify whether to accept the recommendation on collection, etc.;

5. The procedures for collection, etc. upon the recommendation;

6. The plan for measures against the refusal of collection, etc.;

7. Other matters deemed necessary for the collection, etc. of the products, etc. by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment.

(2) A business entity who has been recommended to collect the relevant product, etc. in accordance with Article 14-5(1) of the Act shall prepare a plan for collecting such product, etc. stating whether to accept the recommendation and a period for collection, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "plan") and submit the plan to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, a period for collection, etc. shall not exceed 2 months from the date of such recommendation. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-3; previous Article 24-4 moved to Article 24-5 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-5(Reporting on result of recommendation) #

(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the result of such measures" in Article 14-5(2) of the Act means the following matters: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

1. The result of measures including the details and performance, etc. of collecting, etc.;

2. The plan for measures against the products, etc. for which collecting, etc. was not carried out;

3. The measures to prevent recurrence.

(2) A person who intends to report in accordance with Article 14-5(2) of the Act shall prepare a report on the result of collecting, etc. of products, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "result report") and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in receipt of a report in accordance with paragraph (2) deems that the result of measures, such as collecting, etc., or the result report thereof is insufficient, he or she may request the relevant business entity to take measures, such as additional collecting, etc. or to supplement the result report. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-4; previous Article 24-5 moved to Article 24-6 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-6(Methods of publication of failure to follow recommendations) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may publish the following matters in accordance with Article 14-5(3) of the Act by newspapers defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers, broadcasting defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Broadcasting Act, or information networks prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The name, brand, and model name of the products, etc.;

2. The name of the company and the name of the representative thereof;

3. The reasons and details of the recommendation on collection, etc.

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-5; previous Article 24-6 moved to Article 24-7 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-7(Procedures for issuing orders to collect) #

(1) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment orders a business entity to conduct collecting, etc. in accordance with Article 14-6(1) of the Act, he or she shall do so by a document (including electronic documents) including the following: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The name of the company and the name of the representative thereof;

2. The name, brand, and model name of the products, etc.;

3. The reasons and details of the order of collecting, etc.;

4. The methods and period for carrying out collecting, etc.;

5. Other matters deemed necessary for issuing an order to collect, etc. the products, etc. by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment.

(2) Article 24-6 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the publication of a fact that an order for recall, etc. has been issued under Article 14-6(1) of the Act. In such cases, "recommendation" shall be construed as "order." <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-6; previous Article 24-7 moved to Article 24-8 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-8(Reporting on result of order) #

(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the result of such measures" in Article 14-6(2) of the Act means matters falling under each subparagraph of Article 24-5(1). <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

(2) A person who intends to report in accordance with Article 14-6(2) of the Act shall prepare a result report and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in receipt of a report in accordance with paragraph (2) deems that the result of measures, such as collecting, etc., or the result report thereof is insufficient, he or she may request the relevant business entity to take measures, such as additional collecting, etc. or to supplement the result report. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-7; Previous Article 24-8 moved to Article 24-9 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-9(Measures, such as direct collecting of products) #

The Administrative Vicarious Execution Act shall apply to the measures necessary for direct collecting, etc. and the collection of expenses incurred therein pursuant to Article 14-6(3) of the Act. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

[This Article Added on Jul. 12, 2016]

[Moved from Article 24-8; previous Article 24-9 moved to Article 24-10 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-10(Submission of data) #

In accordance with Article 14-7(1) of the Act, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the following materials to be submitted in order to issue a recommendation or order for recall, etc.: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Details of certification under Article 14(1) of the Act;

2. Manufacturing, import, supply, sales quantity of products, etc. and the status of sales;

3. Current state of facilities for manufacturing products, etc., and of raw materials and subsidiary materials (limited to cases in which a request is made to a business entity who manufactures the products, etc.).

[This Article Added on Jun. 12, 2018]

[Moved from Article 24-9; Previous Article 24-10 moved to Article 24-11 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 24-11(Request for withdrawal of recommendation) #

(1) A person who intends to request the withdrawal of a recommendation or order to collect products, etc. in whole or in part in accordance with Article 14-8(1) of the Act shall submit a written request for withdrawal to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment determines whether to withdraw a recommendation or order to collect products, etc. in whole or in part in accordance with the main clause of Article 14-8(2) of the Act, he or she shall immediately notify the requester thereof. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where it is determined to withdraw a recommendation or order to collect products, etc. pursuant to paragraph (2) in cases where a public notice has been given pursuant to Article 14-5(3) or 14-6(1) of the Act, such fact shall be published in the same manner as public notice is given. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

(4) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to extend the period of determination in accordance with the proviso of Article 14-8(2) of the Act, he or she shall notify the requester in writing of the reason for extension and the extended period. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jun. 12, 2018]

[Moved from Article 24-10 <Nov. 24, 2020>]

Article 25 #

Deleted. <Nov. 24, 2020>

Article 25-2(Standards for registration of water-saving business) #

Standards for registration of a water-saving business under Article 15-2(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 1-5. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

[This Article Added on Jun. 30, 2014]

Article 26(Methods of indicating volume of water used) #

Any person who intends to manufacture or import a water-using appliance pursuant to Article 16 of the Act shall measure the volume of water used by the water-using appliance according to the performance measuring method established by the Korean Industrial Standards under Article 12 of the Industrial Standardization Act and indicate the outcomes of such measurement on such appliance.

[This Article Added on Jan. 26, 2012]

Article 27(Application for authorization) #

(1) A person who intends to obtain authorization for general waterworks business under Article 17(1) of the Act shall submit an application for authorization for the general waterworks business, accompanied by a business plan and other relevant documents and drawings, to the Minister of Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (excluding the head of a Gun in a Metropolitan City; hereinafter referred to as "authorizing agency"), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Nov. 26, 2010; Jan. 26, 2012; Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 8, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A business plan under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

1. Outline of waterworks business (including waterworks facilities);

2. A water supply area, water supply population, and daily water supply per capita;

3. Annual business plans (excluding village waterworks) and the supply rate of water services;

4. Maximum daily water supply, average daily water supply, and the capacity of the relevant facilities;

5. Location of water sources or a forebay and the methods of purification;

6. Statement of the water volume at a forebay and the outcomes of water quality tests;

7. A location map of water services facilities and ground plans;

8. Prearranged date for the beginning and completion of construction and for the commencement of water supply;

9. Methods of fund raising and an annual investment plan;

10. Detailed statement of records, street number and size, and rights, other than the ownership of, to land or a building, to be expropriated and used (hereinafter referred to as "land, etc.");

11. Names and addresses of the owners of land, etc. and interested parties.

(3) "Insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the latter part, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 17(1) of the Act means the following: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Jan. 26, 2012>

1. Changes in the methods of fund raising, or in an annual investment plan;

2. Structural changes of waterworks facilities without increase or decrease in the capacity of such facilities, to the extent that such changes satisfy the standards for facilities under Article 29;

Article 28(Public notice of authorization) #

Public notice under Article 17(3) of the Act shall include the following:

1. Name of the project;

2. The name and address of a waterworks business operator;

3. The purpose and outline of services;

4. The location and area where services are to be implemented;

5. Area to which water is to be supplied, population to which water is to be supplied, and the volume of water to be supplied;

6. Period of time during which water services are to be provided and the prearranged date on which the supply of water is to commence;

7. Detailed statement of records, street number, item, size, and rights, other than the ownership, of land, etc. to be expropriated and used;

8. Names and addresses of the owners of land, etc. and interested parties;

9. Other necessary matters.

Article 29(Facility standards) #

(1) Pursuant to Article 18 of the Act and in accordance with quality, quantity, geographical feature of available raw water and the types and scale of facilities of the relevant water services, each general waterworks business operator shall be equipped with water intake facilities, water reservation facilities, raw-water conveyance facilities, water-purification facilities, purified-water conveyance facilities and water-distribution facilities, all of which meet each of the following standards:

1. Water sources and water intake structures from which the volume of good-quality raw water is available as much as is needed;

2. Water-retention facilities with the capacity to provide, even during dry seasons, the volume of raw water needed;

3. Raw-water conveyance facilities, such as sluices, through which as much raw water as needed can be conveyed;

4. Water-purification facilities which help purify necessary volume of raw water to the degree of standard water quality pursuant to Article 26(2) of the Act;

5. Pumps, conveyance pipes, and other purified-water conveyance facilities which help convey the volume of purified water needed;

6. Distribution pumps, distribution pipes, and other distribution facilities which help provide the volume of purified water needed, with the degree of pressure exceeding a certain specified limit.

(2) The location and arrangement of the waterworks facilities shall be determined, taking harmony with the economic production of water into account.

(3) Waterworks facilities shall be able to withstand the water pressure, earth pressure, earthquakes, and other pressures and they shall be safe from water pollution or water leakage.

(4) The detailed standards for the establishment of waterworks facilities under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 30 #

Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2010>

Article 31(Inspections of water quality) #

(1) An authorizing agency shall inspect water quality under Article 19(1) of the Act; provided, a Mayor/Do Governor shall inspect the quality of water in the waterworks facilities authorized by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 8, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any person that intends to undergo an inspection of water quality under paragraph (1) shall submit an application for inspection, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 32(Managers of final-stage water supply facilities) #

In accordance with the proviso of Article 21(1) of the Act, final-stage water supply facilities shall be managed by any of the following persons, according to the location and type of such facilities:

1. As for final-stage water supply facilities installed outside the boundary of land owned by any person supplied with tap water: A waterworks business operator;

2. As for final-stage water supply facilities installed within the boundary of land owned by a person supplied with tap water: A person falling under any of the following items:

a. As for final-stage water supply facilities located from the land boundary to a water gauge: Any person determined by ordinances of the relevant local government;

b. As for final-stage water supply facilities other than those provided in item a: Any person supplied with tap water.

Article 33(Managers of waterworks facilities) #

(1) "Duties prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 21(6) of the Act means overall duty to oversee the supply of tap water, manage waterworks facilities, manage statistical data about waterworks, control water quality, take emergency measures, and train operators of waterworks facilities. <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014>

(2) A person who may be appointed as the manager of waterworks facilities of a general waterworks business operator in accordance with Article 21(6) of the Act shall be any of the following persons: <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014; Aug. 16, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Any of the following persons who has engaged in a technical job relating to water supply for at least two years (one year in case of a village water supply system and a water supply system for exclusive use with a capacity of 2,000 tons or less per day) after graduation or he or she acquired the relevant academic ability:

a. A person who completed a course of study relating to water supply engineering or sanitation engineering at a college under the Higher Education Act or any other school equivalent thereto, and graduated from a department related to civil engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, environmental engineering or sanitation engineering;

b. A person who is deemed to have acquired academic ability at the same level as that of a person falling under item a pursuant to statutes and regulations, who completed a course of study relating to water supply engineering or sanitation engineering in the course of acquiring the relevant academic ability;

2. Any of the following persons who has engaged in a technical job relating to water supply for at least five years (three years in case of a village water supply system and a water supply system for exclusive use with a capacity of 2,000 tons or less per day) after graduation or he or she acquired the relevant academic ability:

a. A person who completed a course of study relating to water supply engineering or sanitation engineering at a junior college under the Higher Education Act or any other school equivalent thereto, and graduated from a department related to civil engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, environmental engineering or sanitation engineering;

b. A person who is deemed to have acquired academic ability at the same level as that of a person falling under item a pursuant to statutes and regulations, who completed a course of study relating to water supply engineering or sanitation engineering in the course of acquiring the relevant academic ability;

Article 34(Assignment of certified operation managers of water-purification facilities) #

The standards for the placement of certified operation managers at water-purification facilities by a general waterworks business entities under Article 21(7) of the Act are prescribed in Appendix 2. <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014>

Article 34-2(Standard for the placement of water supply network facility operation managers) #

The standards for the placement of water supply network facility operation managers for general water supply business operators under Article 21(8) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2-2.

[This Article Added on Mar. 30, 2021]

[Previous Article 34-2 moved to Article 34-3 <Mar. 30, 2021>]

Article 34-3(Maintenance and management of water supply networks) #

(1) Each general waterworks business operator, a local government, shall perform the following duties to efficiently and systematically maintain and manage water pipes pursuant to Article 21-2 of the Act, and shall manage the performance thereof:

1. Formulation and execution of regional management plans;

2. Formulation and implementation of a plan to maintain and manage water supply systems, including the target water supply volume (referring to the ratio of total water supply volume);

3. Management of water leakage, such as investigation and recovery of water pipes;

4. Inspection and maintenance of water pipes.

(2) Detailed matters necessary for performing the affairs under the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request any general waterworks business operator who is a local government to submit the results of the performance of the duties under the subparagraphs of paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 24, 2020]

[Moved from Article 34-2 <Mar. 30, 2021>]

Article 34-4(Registration of water supply network management agency) #

(1) Requirements for the registration of human resources, equipment, etc. of water supply network management agencies under the main sentence of Article 21-4(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2-3.

(2) Any person who has registered a water supply network management agency as prescribed in Article 21-4(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "water supply network management agency") shall comply with the matters to be observed prescribed in Appendix 2-4 pursuant to paragraph (3) of that Article.

[This Article Added on Mar. 30, 2021]

Article 35(Classification and terms of entrustment) #

(1) Affairs of operating and managing waterworks facilities under Article 23(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "water services management") shall be entrusted pursuant to the following classifications: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

1. Simple entrustment: Entrustment of the management of one water services facility from among water intake facilities, water-purification facilities, water transmission or drainage facility, or water supply facility or repetition of simple tasks, such as removing and treating sludge (referring to sediments generated during water-purification process; hereinafter the same shall apply), checking and replacing water gauges, issuing and delivering water bills, etc.;

2. Multiple entrustment: Entrustment of upgrading (including replacing; hereinafter the same shall apply) waterworks facilities or entrustment of the management of two or more water services facilities from among water intake facilities, water-purification facilities or water pipes and drainage facilities. In such cases, repetition of simple tasks, such as removing and treating sludge, may be included.

(2) The term of a simple entrustment referred to in paragraph (1) shall not exceed five years, and the term of a multiple entrustment shall be from five years to 20 years.

(3) When a general waterworks business operator (referring to a general waterworks business operator that is a local government or a waterworks association; hereafter in this Article through Article 40 the same shall apply) intends to entrusted water services management in accordance with Article 23(2) of the Act, it shall clearly state matters falling under each of the following items, classified into each subparagraph, in an entrustment contract, fully taking into account the characteristics of the operation and management of waterworks facilities subject to entrustment: <Amended on Apr. 22, 2025>

1. Simple entrustment:

a. Objectives of entrustment;

b. The subject matter and scope of entrustment;

c. The term of an entrustment contract;

d. Matters concerning the calculation of costs of entrustment and the payment thereof;

e. Goals to be accomplished and matters concerning measures to be taken in cases of failing to accomplish such goals;

f. Matters concerning the termination of an entrustment contract and compensation for losses;

Article 36(Trustees of waterworks facilities) #

(1) "Specialized institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 23(1) of the Act means the following institutions: <Amended on Dec. 24, 2009; Nov. 26, 2010; May 14, 2012; Mar. 30, 2021; Apr. 22, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The Korea Water Resources Corporation under the Korea Water Resources Corporation Act;

2. The Korea Environment Corporation under the Korea Environment Corporation Act;

3. Local government-directly operated enterprises, local government-invested public corporations and local government public corporations, which are incorporated and established under the Local Public Enterprises Act;

4. Corporations that are civil and architectural engineering business entities under Article 2 of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry;

5. Corporations that are engineering business entities specialized in the waterworks and sewage systems of the construction sector, or in the field of water-quality control of the environment sector under Article 2 of the Engineering Industry Promotion Act;

6. Professional engineers’ offices specialized in the waterworks and sewage systems of the construction sector or in the water-quality control of the environment sector under Article 6 of the Professional Engineers Act;

7. Institutions prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment as deemed capable of performing waterworks management affairs;

8. Persons prescribed by ordinances of a local government or bylaws of a waterworks association as deemed capable of performing waterworks management affairs by a general waterworks business operator, or in cases of a waterworks business operator which is not a local government, persons prescribed by other statutes or regulations (limited to entrustment of simple and repetitive tasks, such as removing and treating sludge among simple entrustment);

9. Water supply network management agency (limited to cases where water supply and drainage facilities or water supply facilities are simply entrusted).

Article 37(Preparation of entrustment plans and hearing of opinions) #

(1) Where any general waterworks business operator intends to entrust waterworks management affairs in accordance with Article 23(1) of the Act, it shall formulate an entrustment plan which includes the following matters, hear the opinions of the entrustment review committee under Article 23(5) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Entrustment Review Committee"), make such plan available for public perusal for at least 20 days, and hold an explanatory meeting: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Apr. 22, 2025>

1. Objectives and scope of entrustment;

2. Period of entrustment;

3. Matters concerning the calculation of remuneration for entrustment and the payment thereof;

4. Other matters that a general waterworks business operator deems necessary to entrust waterworks management affairs.

(2) In cases where any general waterworks business operator intends to make an entrustment plan available to residents for public inspection pursuant to paragraph (1), the operator shall publicly announce in advance the outline of the entrustment plan, the period for public inspection, the time and method for presenting opinions, etc. through a daily newspaper, the official gazette, its Internet website or broadcasting system, etc., and keep relevant documents at the place for public inspection. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2008; Jan. 27, 2010; Nov. 24, 2020>

(3) When each general waterworks business operator intends to hold an explanatory meeting referred to in paragraph (1), he or she shall publicly announce in advance a summary of the entrustment plan, the date and venue of the explanatory meeting, at least once in one or more nationally circulated daily newspapers and in one or more locally circulated daily newspapers, and hold the explanatory meeting within 10 days from the date on which the period of public perusal referred to in paragraph (2) begins.

(4) Each general waterworks business operator may hold a public hearing and seek residents' opinions upon hearing the opinions of the Entrustment Review Committee. In such cases, it shall publicly announce a summary of the entrustment plan and the date on and venue at which a public hearing is to be held in the public bulletin, on the web-sites, or general daily newspapers under subparagraph 1a of Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers at least 14 days before the public hearing begins. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2008; Jan. 27, 2010>

(5) When each general waterworks business operator intends to conclude an entrustment contract pursuant to Article 23(1) of the Act, he or she shall reflect the opinions of the Entrustment Review Committee and the results of seeking opinions pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (4), unless any extenuating circumstances exist.

Article 38(Functions and operation of Entrustment Review Committees) #

(1) An Entrustment Review Committee shall deliberate on the following matters: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010>

1. The validity of objectives, subject matter and scope of entrustment;

2. The appropriateness of the period and remuneration for entrustment;

3. The appropriateness of investment plans and means of financing the budget;

4. The evaluation of the results of entrustment;

5. Other matters tabled to a meeting as the relevant general waterworks business operator deems them as requiring deliberation in relation to entrustment of waterworks management affairs.

(2) Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2010>

(3) Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2010>

(4) Members of the Entrustment Review Committee shall be commissioned by the relevant general waterworks business operator, from among the following persons. In such cases, the general waterworks business operator shall commission at least one member from each of the following persons: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010>

1. Professional engineers in the field of waterworks and sewerage under Article 9 of the National Technical Qualifications Act;

2. Persons who hold doctorate degrees in waterworks and sewerage-related fields;

3. Certified public accountants registered under Article 7 of the Certified Public Accountant Act;

4. Legal professionals, such as attorneys-at-law and law professors.

(5) Allowances, travel expenses and other expenses to be incurred may be paid to members of the Entrustment Review Committee within budgetary limits; provided, the same shall not apply where public officials attend a meeting of the Entrustment Review Committee in direct connection with their duties.

(6) Except as provided in this Decree, matters necessary for the operation of the Entrustment Review Committee shall be prescribed by ordinances of the relevant local government or bylaws of a waterworks association. <Amended on Apr. 22, 2025>

[Title Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 39(Evaluation on results of entrustment) #

(1) Each general waterworks business operator shall, where it entrusts water services management pursuant to Article 23(1) of the Act, evaluate the operation and management of water services facilities and results of management of a trustee every five years from the date on which an entrustment contract is concluded, in order to improve and develop water services management.

(2) With respect to matters requiring correction, as a result of an evaluation referred to paragraph (1), each general waterworks business operator may request a trustee to correct them, or pay performance-based bonuses or provide other financial support, within budget, to a trustee who is found to have successfully performed its work.

(3) Matters necessary regarding means and procedures for evaluation of the results of entrustment in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) and measures to be taken subsequent to such evaluation shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 40(Cancellation of entrustment contract) #

Each general waterworks business operator shall, when it intends to conclude an entrustment contract, clearly state on such contract in detail that such entrustment contract may be terminated when grounds falling under any of the following subparagraphs occur:

1. Where the goals of entrustment are impossible to be attained because a trustee fails to properly manage water services;

2. Where an entrustment contract is decided to be terminated by a resident referendum under the Residents' Voting Act.

Article 41(Qualifications for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities) #

(1) "Either pass a qualifying examination for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities conducted by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or ... satisfying the qualification requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as completion of training courses" in Article 24(1) of the Act means the qualification requirements for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities in Appendix 3. Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any person who intends to apply for the issuance of a certificate of qualification of a certified operation manager of water-purification facilities in accordance with Article 24(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment a written application for issuance of a certificate of qualification, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 13, 2024]

Article 42(Methods of examinations and standards for passing examinations) #

(1) An examination for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities under Article 24(1) of the Act shall be held as the first test and the second test; provided, where it is deemed necessary by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the first test and the second test may be held simultaneously. <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The first test and the second test under paragraph (1) shall be held for each of the following subjects, with different degrees of difficulty by each grade, and the first test shall be comprised of multiple-choice questions and the second exam shall be comprised of essays or short answers: <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008>

1. Water-purification process;

2. Analysis on and control of water quality;

3. The operation of facilities and equipment (machinery, devices, measuring instruments, etc.);

4. The hydraulics of water-purification facilities.

(3) In order to pass the first and second tests, an examinee shall score at least 40 points in each subject and an average of at least 60 points out of 100 as full marks in each subject. <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008>

(4) The second test shall be held for those who have passed the first test; provided, in cases where the first test and the second test are simultaneously held pursuant to the proviso of paragraph (1), the second test taken by any person who has failed to pass the first test shall become annulled.

(5) Any person who has passed the first test shall be exempted from taking the first test for two years from the date on which he or she has passed the first test; provided, in cases where the first test has not been held within those two years, he or she shall be exempted from the immediately following first test only once.

(6) Setting questions, marking, application procedures, and service charges for qualification examinations, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 43(Partial exemption from examination subjects) #

Examination subjects shall be exempted in part for persons who have obtained certificates in related fields prescribed by the National Technical Qualifications Act pursuant to Article 24(8) of the Act, pursuant to the following classification: <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008; Jul. 11, 2022; Aug. 13, 2024>

1. Certified tap water and sewerage technicians: Subjects under Article 42(2)1 through 4 from among the subjects of the first test for Grade I or II certified operation managers of water-purification facilities under Article 42(2);

2. Certified water-quality management technicians: Subjects under Article 42(2)1, 2 and 4 from among the subjects of the first test for Grade I or II certified operation managers of water-purification facilities under Article 42(2);

3. Certified water-quality and environment technicians: Subjects under Article 42(2)1 and 2 from among the subjects of the first test for Grade II certified operation managers of water-purification facilities under Article 42(2);

4. Deleted. <Aug. 13, 2024>

Article 43-2(Training courses for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities) #

(1) Training courses for Grade Ⅲ certified operation managers of water-purification facilities under Article 24(1) and (3) of the Act shall include education on the process, water quality, management of equipment, etc. of water-purification facilities.

(2) Detailed matters concerning detailed contents and methods of education and hours of education under paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Aug. 13, 2024]

Article 43-3(Institutions entrusted with training courses for certified operation managers of water-purification facilities) #

"Institution or organization prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 24(9) of the Act means the Association.

[This Article Added on Aug. 13, 2024]

Article 44(Water supply network facility operation managers) #

(1) Qualification requirements for a water supply network facility operation manager under Article 25-2(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 3-2.

(2) Any person who intends to apply for the issuance of a certificate of qualification of a water supply network facility operation manager in accordance with Article 25-2(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment a written application for issuance of a certificate of qualification prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Grades of water supply network facility operation managers shall be categorized into Grade I and Grade II.

(4) The scope of duties of a water supply network facility operation manager shall be as follows:

1. Formulating and implementing plans for the operation and management of water supply networks;

2. Management of water leakage, such as investigation and recovery of water supply networks;

3. Examination and improvement of water supply networks;

[This Article Added on Mar. 30, 2021]

Article 45 #

Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2010>

Article 46(Reporting of Municipal Ordinances on Tightened Water Quality Standards) #

Where the matters under Article 26(4) of the Act are prescribed by municipal ordinance, the Mayor/Do Governor shall report to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment thereon without delay. The same shall also apply where any provision of the municipal ordinance on such matters is amended. <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014; Nov. 16, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Nov. 16, 2023]

Article 46-2(Dispatch of management support groups) #

(1) The cases in which the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may dispatch on-site solution coordinators in accordance with Article 26-2(3) of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where a situation in which tap water cannot be supplied safely and appropriately due to reasons such as violating the water quality standards under Article 26(2) of the Act continues for a considerable period of time or additional damage is expected;

2. Where it is deemed that the water pollution that occurred during the process of supplying tap water is serious and needs to be repaired immediately;

3. Where a general waterworks business operator requests the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to dispatch an on-site solution coordinator because it is difficult to solve problems that occur in the process of supplying tap water on their own.

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deems it necessary to dispatch an on-site solution coordinator under any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), he or she shall dispatch the on-site solution coordinator without delay in consultation with the relevant general waterworks business operator. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The role of an on-site solution coordinator under Article 26-2(4) of the Act shall be as follows:

1. Support for the establishment and implementation of measures necessary for rapid accident response, situation management, and damage minimization and recovery;

2. Cooperation with related agencies in the response to and recovery from accidents;

3. Collection of information on the cause of the accident, the extent of damage, etc. and provision of relevant information to the public;

4. Other measures necessary for the safe and appropriate supply of tap water.

[This Article Added on Nov. 24, 2020]

Article 47(Standards for giving public notice on details of violations of water quality standards) #

"Cases falling under reasons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 27(1) of the Act means any of the following cases:

1. As a result of monitoring through various warning systems, such as a fish monitoring water tank and a biology warning system, the inflow of a poisonous substance is deemed evident;

2. Where fecal coliforms are detected at the outlet of a clean water reservoir;

3. Where a waterborne disease is deemed to have occurred due to tap water;

4. Where turbidity exceeding 1 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) lasts for at least 24 hours;

5. Where turbidity exceeds 5 NTU;

6. Where the residual chlorine concentration at the outlet of a clean water reservoir does not exceed 0.1mg/L (in cases of combined residual chlorine, less than 0.4mg/L) and lasts for at least one hour;

7. Where the residual chlorine concentration is not less than 4mg/L at the outlet of a clean water reservoir;

8. Where the value of inactivation required by disinfection does not exceed 1 and lasts for at least 48 hours;

9. Where the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) is less than 5.5 or exceeds 9.0 and lasts for at least one hour;

10. Where the nitric nitrogen concentration exceeds 10mg/L;

11. Where a general waterworks business operator deems it necessary to give notice to residents immediately.

[This Article Wholly Amended on May 14, 2012]

Article 48 #

Deleted. <May 14, 2012>

Article 49(Installation of water-quality inspection facilities) #

(1) Criteria for water-quality inspection facilities, with which each general waterworks business operator shall be equipped in accordance with Article 29(2) of the Act, shall be as follows: <Amended on Jul. 20, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Raw-water inspection facilities: Equipment and testing facilities capable of inspecting whether the criteria for water quality and water ecosystems, as stipulated in the Appendix of the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy, is met;

2. Purified-water inspection facilities: Equipment and testing facilities capable of inspecting the criteria for the quality of drinking water prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in accordance with Article 26(2) of the Act.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if each general waterworks business operator entrusts or delegates the inspection of water quality, upon approval from the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, to any national or public research institution, such as the Public Health and Environment Research Institute, or any other institution prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, he or she may elect not to install water quality inspection facilities (excluding facilities to test inspection items prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment) under paragraph (1). In such cases, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor shall determine whether to grant approval, considering the demand for water-quality inspections within his or her jurisdiction and the inspection capacity of the Public Health and Environment Research Institute, etc. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 49-2(Conducting survey on drinking tap water) #

(1) The scope of fact-finding surveys on drinking tap water conducted under Article 29-2(1) of the Act (hereafter in this Article referred to as "fact-finding surveys") shall be as follows:

1. A method of drinking tap water (hereafter referred to as "tap water" in this Article) treated to be suitable for drinking in its natural state under subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Drinking Water Management Act;

2. Information, awareness, and satisfaction level on tap water;

3. Other matters necessary for the establishment and implementation of policies to increase the level of information, awareness, and satisfaction level with tap water.

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to conduct a fact-finding survey, he or she shall establish a fact-finding plan including the purpose, period, subject and method of the survey. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The fact-finding survey shall be conducted in the form of a sample survey, and the methods such as written, interview, and on-line survey may be used.

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may publish the results of the survey on the website of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Sep. 29, 2020]

[Previous Article 49-2 moved to Article 49-3 <Sep. 29, 2020>]

Article 49-3(Composition and operation of Tap-Water Quality Evaluation Committee) #

(1) The Tap-Water Quality Evaluation Committee in Article 30(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Tap-Water Quality Evaluation Committee") shall be comprised of not more than 15 members including a chairperson.

(2) Members are appointed or commissioned from among public officials in charge of waterworks-related affairs, persons with extensive knowledge and experience in waterworks-related fields, and general consumers. In such cases, the number of commissioned members from among general consumers shall be at least 3/10 of the total number of members. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020>

(3) The Tap-Water Quality Evaluation Committee shall be convened regularly not less than twice a year for tap water quality examination, etc. and publish the results of the examination.

(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), necessary matters for the organization, operation, etc. of the Tap-Water Quality Evaluation Committee shall be prescribed by ordinances of local governments or bylaws of a waterworks association. <Amended on Apr. 22, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

[Moved from Article 49-2 <Sep. 29, 2020>]

Article 50(Types of buildings or facilities subject to reporting on current status of installation of water tanks) #

(1) "Buildings or facilities which exceed the sizes prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the former part of Article 33(2) of the Act means any of the following buildings or facilities; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to buildings or facilities to which tap water is supplied without using water tanks:

1. Buildings or facilities, the total floor area of each of which is at least 5,000 square meters (excluding the area of a parking lot within each building or facility);

2. Buildings used for at least two purposes, the total floor area of each of which is at least 2,000 square meters;

3. Facilities for business, the total floor area of each of which is at least 3,000 square meters among the facilities for business under Article 2(2)14 of the Building Act;

4. Performance venues with a capacity of at least 1,000 among the performance venues under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Public Performance Act;

5. Large-scale stores under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Distribution Industry Development Act (excluding facilities governed by the Indoor Air Quality Control Act);

6. Underground shopping malls the total floor area of each of which is at least 2,000 square meters among the shopping malls under subparagraph 7 of Article 2 of the Distribution Industry Development Act (excluding facilities governed by the Indoor Air Quality Control Act);

7. Indoor sports facilities with a capacity of at least 1,000 among the sports facilities under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Installation and Utilization of Sports Facilities Act;

8. Private teaching institutes, the total floor area of each of which is at least 2,000 square meters among the private teaching institutes under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons;

9. Apartment buildings under subparagraph 2a of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act and welfare facilities contained therein;

10. Wedding halls, the total floor area of each of which is at least 2,000 square meters among the wedding halls under subparagraph 5b of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act.

(2) When calculating the total floor area under the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), the total floor area of a facility which consists of at least two buildings shall be the gross area of the total floor areas of individual buildings.

Article 51(Buildings or facilities required to take measures, such as cleaning water pipes) #

(1) "Buildings or facilities, the scale of which exceeds the scale prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the provisions, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 33(4) of the Act means the buildings or facilities classified as follows: <Amended on Jul. 9, 2024>

1. Any of the following buildings or facilities with the total floor area of at least 60,000 square meters:

a. Buildings or facilities under Article 33(4)1 through 3 and 10 of the Act;

b. General business facilities under subparagraph 14b of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, among facilities under Article 33(4)7 of the Act;

2. Any of the following buildings or facilities with the total floor area of at least 5,000 square meters:

a. Facilities under Article 33(4)4 through 6, and 8 through 10 of the Act;

b. Public facilities under subparagraph 14a of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, among facilities under Article 33(4)7 of the Act.

(2) "Buildings prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 33(4)2 of the Act means apartment buildings under subparagraph 2a of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act. <Amended on Jul. 9, 2024>

(3) "Facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 33(4)5 of the Act means any of the following facilities: <Amended on Jul. 9, 2024>

1. Schools referred to in subparagraph 10a of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act;

2. Libraries established by the State or local governments, among libraries referred to in subparagraph 10f of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act.

(4) "Facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 33(4)6 of the Act means any of the following facilities: <Amended on Jul. 9, 2024>

1. Facilities for senior citizens and children referred to in subparagraph 11 of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act;

2. Training facilities in living areas referred to in subparagraph 12a of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act;

3. Training facilities in natural areas referred to in subparagraph 12b of Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act;

Article 52(Education on management of waterworks facilities) #

(1) Details of education on the management of waterworks facilities under Article 36(1) of the Act shall include the following:

1. The Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act and hygiene-related laws and regulations;

2. Matters concerning the operation, maintenance and management of waterworks facilities;

3. Matters concerning quality standards for drinking water and the testing thereof;

4. Matters concerning improvement of water quality;

5. Other matters necessary for the management of waterworks facilities.

(2) A person subject to education under Article 36(1) and (2) of the Act shall receive collective education (including online education corresponding thereto) as of the date of receiving the education according to the following classifications; provided, the initial education shall be received within one year from the date of becoming subject to education: <Amended on Nov. 21, 2023>

1. Any of the following persons: Eight hours of education every five years:

a. A person specified in Article 36(1)1 of the Act;

b. A person specified in Article 36(1)2 of the Act;

c. An employee directly engaged in water-tank cleaning business under Article 36(2) of the Act (including a supervisor directly guiding such employee at the site; hereafter in paragraph (4) the same shall apply);

2. Any of the following persons: 35 hours of education every two years:

a. A person specified in Article 36(1)3 of the Act;

b. An operator of waterworks under Article 36(2) of the Act;

3. Any of the following persons: 35 hours of education every three years:

a. A person specified in Article 36(1)4 of the Act;

b. An employee directly engaged in agency business for managing water pipe network under Article 36(2) of the Act.

(3) Where a person subject to education Article 33(1) and (2) of the Act violates Article 33(3) of the Act or is subject to a disposition to suspend his or her business pursuant to Article 35 of the Act, he or she shall complete the training courses within 2 years from the date on which such violation is discovered: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Apr. 11, 2017; Jun. 12, 2018; Jul. 9, 2024>

Article 53(Application for approval of terms and conditions of water supply) #

Any person who intends to obtain approval of terms and conditions of the supply of tap water from the Authority for Authorization, in accordance with Article 38 of the Act, shall prepare provisions concerning the supply of tap water, including the following matters, and apply for approval thereof: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Basic data necessary for the computation of tap-water use fee rates;

2. Criteria and methods for the computation of expenses for construction works relating to final-stage water supply facilities;

3. Matters concerning the installment and management of final-stage water supply facilities, such as the installation of a backflow-prevention valve in the base of a water gauge to prevent water pollution due to backflow;

4. Other matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, regarding the supply of tap water.

Article 53-2(Reduction of or exemption from tap water fees) #

(1) "Public facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree, including educational facilities and social welfare facilities" in Article 38(4), with the exception of the subparagraphs, of the Act means any of the following facilities: <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Aug. 3, 2012; Jun. 30, 2014; Jun. 12, 2018>

1. Schools under each subparagraph of Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;

1-2. Kindergartens under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Early Childhood Education Act;

2. Social welfare facilities under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Social Welfare Services Act;

3. Other facilities prescribed by ordinance of a local government.

(2) Detailed matters necessary for the discount of tap water fees under Article 38(4) of the Act, including discount rates, shall be prescribed by ordinance of each local government. <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014>

[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2010]

Article 53-3(Refusal to supply tap water) #

Pursuant to Article 39(1) of the Act, no general waterworks business operator shall refuse to supply tap water to any person that wants to have tap water supplied, except in any of the following cases:

1. Where it is impracticable to supply tap water in a normal condition due to the destruction or breakdown of waterworks facilities;

2. Where it is necessary for the protection of health of the persons to whom tap water is supplied, because tap water fails to meet the water quality standards under Article 26 of the Act due to the replacement or malfunction of purification facilities or the contamination by a hazardous substance.

[This Article Added on Jun. 30, 2014]

Article 54(Application mutatis mutandis to cases of adjudication) #

`Article 51 of the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects shall apply mutatis mutandis to applications for administrative adjudication under Article 41(3) of the Act.

Article 55(Application mutatis mutandis to cases of industrial-use water) #

`Articles 27 through 30, 33, 35 through 40, and 53 shall apply mutatis mutandis to industrial waterworks and industrial waterworks business.

Article 56(Supply of tap water from wide-area waterworks to general consumers) #

Tap water from wide-area waterworks may be supplied for general consumers under Article 43(4) of the Act if the following requirements are met: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010>

1. Where the directly supply of tap water from wide-area water services is inevitable because the supply of tap water by local water supply or by other means is substantially difficult;

2. Where water is supplied for public institutions, military units, schools, power plants, or factories using at least 1,000 tons of water per day;

3. Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2010>

Article 57(Exclusive waterworks installed by the State) #

(1) Where the State intends to install exclusive waterworks in accordance with Article 51 of the Act, the competent Minister shall consult in advance with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 8, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Articles 53 and 54 of the Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to exclusive waterworks installed by the State.

Article 58(Application for authorization of private-use waterworks) #

(1) Any person who intends to obtain authorization for installing private-use waterworks under Article 52 of the Act shall submit to the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun an application for authorization to install private-use waterworks, accompanied by installation plans, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Installation plans under paragraph (1) shall include the following matters: <Amended on Jun. 20, 2008>

1. An outline of waterworks facilities;

2. The population to be supplied with water and the volume of water to be supplied per person per day;

3. The maximum daily water supply and the average daily water supply;

4. Matters prescribed in Article 27(2)5 through 8;

5. A review of the effects of installing private-use waterworks upon persons holding existing water rights; provided, this shall not apply where permission to exploit or use a forebay is obtained under any other statute or regulation, such as the Groundwater Act.

Article 58-2(Requirements for authorization of private-use waterworks) #

Any person who intends to obtain authorization of private-use waterworks as prescribed by Article 52(1) of the Act shall meet all of the following requirements:

1. To meet standards for facilities under Article 29; provided, standards for facilities pursuant to paragraph (1)2, 3, 5 or 6 of that Article shall apply only to cases where the relevant facilities are necessary;

2. To obtain consent from persons holding existing water rights, if such authorization will clearly inflict losses thereon; provided, cases where permission to exploit or use water-intake sources is obtained under any other statute or regulation, such as the Groundwater Act shall be excluded.

[This Article Added on Jun. 20, 2008]

Article 59(Matters of which modification requires authorization for private-use waterworks) #

"Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 52(2) of the Act means any of the following matters:

1. The location of water source or forebay, and the methods of purification;

2. A location map of water services facilities and ground plans;

3. The maximum daily water supply and the average daily water supply (excluding cases where the volume of decrease or increase shows less than 1/10).

Article 60(Missions) #

The Association shall perform the following business affairs: <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Making proposals and providing advice with respect to policies on and administration of water services (including sewage; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article);

2. Deleted; <Apr. 11, 2017>

3. Surveying and researching on, and propagating the development of water supply-related technology and water services;

4. Researching on and propagating standards for water services facilities and for the design thereof, and official instructions;

5. Public relations, education, and in-service training for water services;

6. International exchanges relating to water supply;

7. Promoting the welfare of members of the Association and protecting their rights and interests;

8. Research on specifications of materials and products for waterworks, the establishment of collective standards, testing, and certification;

9. Evaluation of technology and technical support for waterworks facilities;

10. Other missions that are commissioned by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, or prescribed by the articles of association.

Article 61(Supervision over association) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall supervise the business affairs of the Association. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deems necessary for supervision in accordance with paragraph (1), he or she may request the Association to submit necessary material. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 61-2(Standards for Compensation for Using Underground Space of Land and Methods Thereof) #

(1) Compensation for the use of underground space of other persons' land under Article 60-2(1) of the Act shall be as listed in Appendix 3-3. <Amended on Mar. 30, 2021>

(2) Where a waterworks business operator makes compensation for the use of underground space of other persons' land, he or she shall pay the compensation in a lump to each landowner.

[This Article Added on Dec. 11, 2018]

Article 62(Establishment of safety management system for water-purification plants) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may implement a system to evaluate the operation of water-purification plants and the status of management of the facilities therein, in order to establish safety supervision for water-purification plants. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Matters necessary to grant a reward, etc. based on the operation of an evaluation system under paragraph (1) and evaluation thereby shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on May 14, 2012; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 63(Delegation or entrustment of compulsory collection) #

Any local government which intends to delegate or entrust the compulsory collection of tap-water use fee rates, etc. in accordance with Article 68(2) of the Act, shall send delegated or entrusted local government documents, stating the following matters:

1. The former and present addresses of obligators to pay such fee rates;

2. The amount to be paid and the deadline for the payment thereof;

3. Whether demand notes or notices have been issued and, if issued, the dates of issuance;

4. Other matters for reference.

Article 64(Scope of usage of revenues) #

"Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 69 of the Act means the following matters: <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014; Jul. 9, 2024>

1. Subsidies or loans that are provided to cover expenses incurred in washing, renewing, or replacing final-stage water supply facilities under Article 21(5) of the Act;

2. Subsidies that are provided to cover expenses incurred in conducting a water-quality inspection under Article 33(3) of the Act;

3. Partial subsidies that are provided to cover expenses incurred in installing water pipes under terms and conditions of water supply under Article 53.

Article 65(Expenses to be levied on persons incurring such expenses) #

(1) In order to levy waterworks expenses on a person who has incurred such expenses (including a person who has incurred waterworks expenses to build new or more waterworks facilities, as a result of building facilities which use a large volume of tap water, such as housing complexes and industrial complexes), as prescribed by Article 71(1) of the Act, a waterworks business operator shall have prior consultation with the person on whom such expenses are to be levied with regard to standards for the computation of such expenses prescribed by Article 71(2) of the Act and the method of payment thereof. In such cases, if such consultation does not lead to agreement, the waterworks business operator may determine such amount in consideration of anticipated expenses necessary for waterworks according to the amount of tap water used. <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008; Apr. 11, 2017>

(2) In order to levy waterworks expenses on a person who has incurred such expenses as prescribed by paragraph (1), a waterworks business operator shall compute anticipated waterworks expenses, and issue the person on whom such expenses are to be levied a written notice stating the amount of expenses and the deadline and place for payment thereof. <Amended on Jan. 3, 2008>

(3) Expenses to be levied on a person who has incurred such expenses in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be the aggregate of the following:

1. The cost of building new or additional waterworks facilities;

2. Costs for restoration of facilities to their original state;

3. The amount of money corresponding to use fees for tap water which became unusable due to the cleaning, etc. of waterworks facilities;

4. Expenses for water wagons used due to the suspension of water supply;

5. Expenses for the restoration of roads to their original state and costs required for preventing the freezing of roads;

6. Expenses for vehicles used and personnel called into services for restoration works;

7. Other expenses, etc. for public relations.

(4) In order to levy waterworks expenses on a person who has inflicted damage to waterworks facilities in accordance with Article 71(1) of the Act, a waterworks business operator shall compute expenses for repair and maintenance of waterworks facilities or expenses to build damage prevention facilities, and issue the person on whom such expenses are to be levied a written notice stating the amount of expenses, and the deadline and place for payment thereof. <Added on Jan. 3, 2008>

Article 65-2(Technical diagnosis of waterworks facilities) #

Matters to be complied with, such as standards for equipment, methods, etc. to conduct technical diagnosis of waterworks facilities under Article 74(1) of the Act shall be as prescribed in Appendix 3-4. <Amended on Mar. 30, 2021>

[This Article Added on Nov. 24, 2020]

Article 66(Review of subsidies from National Treasury) #

If necessary for providing subsidies from the National Treasury under Article 75 of the Act, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the Korea Environment Corporation to review technical matters. <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 12, 2018]

Article 67(Delegation or entrustment of authority or business affairs) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall delegate the following authority to a Mayor/Do Governor in accordance with Article 78(1) of the Act: <Amended on Nov. 26, 2010; Jan. 26, 2012; May 14, 2012; Jul. 12, 2016; Jun. 12, 2018; Nov. 24, 2020; Aug. 13, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Designation or modification of water source protection areas or public announcement of such designation or modification prescribed in Article 7(1) and (2) of the Act;

2. Removal of equipment, suspension of the supply of tap water or other necessary measures prescribed in Article 13(2) of the Act;

3. Recommendation and order to collect products, etc. prescribed in Articles 14-5 and 14-6 of the Act;

3-2. Request for on-site inspections and submission of data under Article 14-7 of the Act;

3-3. Acceptance of withdrawal of a recommendation or order to collect products, etc. and determination of withdrawal under Article 14-8 of the Act;

4. Approval for the purchase of waterworks facilities, etc. prescribed in Article 44(1) of the Act;

4-2. Imposition and collection of administrative fines under Article 87(1)3 of the Act (limited to administrative fines imposed and collected on any person who fails to install water-saving fixtures or water-saving devices in violation of Article 15(1) of the Act) and paragraph (2)2 through 4 of the same Article;

5. Seeking opinions from residents when designating or modifying water source protection areas prescribed in Article 11-2.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall delegate the authority for the following matters to the heads of river basin environmental agencies or the heads of local environmental agencies in accordance with Article 78 (1) of the Act: <Amended on Nov. 24, 2020; Mar. 30, 2021; Jul. 11, 2022; Jan. 21, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Approval of, and approval for modification to, a plan for waterworks installation and management formulated by the head of a Si/Gun (excluding the head of a Gun in a Metropolitan City) under Article 5(3) of the Act; provided, a plan for waterworks installation and management formulated by the head of a Si/Gun (excluding the head of a Gun in a Metropolitan City) that supplies or receives metropolitan waterworks shall be excluded;

2. Evaluation of the management status of the water-source protection areas under Article 8(3) of the Act and a request for necessary measures;

Article 67-2(Management of personally identifiable information) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment (including persons entrusted with business affairs by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in accordance with Article 67(6) and (8)) may manage data containing resident registration numbers or alien registration numbers under subparagraph 1 or 4 of Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, where unavoidable to perform the following business affairs: <Amended on Mar. 30, 2021; Aug. 13, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Administrative affairs related to the designation and modified designation of an environmental assessment institute under Article 14-3(1) and (3) of the Act;

2. Administrative affairs concerning the qualification examination and certificate of qualification of water-purification facility operation manager under Article 24(1) and (5) of the Act;

2-2. Affairs concerning the confirmation of qualification requirements for a certified water supply network facility operation manager under Article 25-2(3) of the Act and the issuance and issuance of certificates thereof;

3. Affairs concerning the imposition and collection of water rates supplied pursuant to the provisions concerning conditions for water supply under Article 38(1) of the Act;

4. Affairs concerning reductions in water tariffs of the general waterworks business operator under Article 38(4) of the Act.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 24, 2020]

Article 68(Re-examination on regulation) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the validity of the following matters every 3 years from the base date under each subparagraph (referring to on or before the day immediately before every third anniversary of the reference date) and shall take measures for improvement: <Amended on Jun. 30, 2014; Nov. 24, 2020; Mar. 8, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The hygiene and safety standards under Article 24 and Appendix 1-2: July 1, 2014;

2. The use of materials or products for waterworks under Article 24-2: July 1, 2014;

3. The standards for designation of inspection institutions under Article 24-3(1) and Appendix 1-3: January 1, 2022;

3-2. Matters to be observed by inspection institutions under Article 24-3(3) and Appendix 1-4: January 1, 2022;

4. Standards for the registration of water-saving business under Article 25-2 and Appendix 1-5: July 1, 2014;

5. Education, etc. on the management of waterworks facilities under Article 52: July 1, 2014.

[This Article Added on Dec. 30, 2013]

Article 69(Criteria for imposing administrative fines) #

Criteria for imposition of administrative fines provided for in Article 87(1) through (4) of the Act shall be as stipulated in Appendix 5. <Amended on Jul. 12, 2016>

[This Article Wholly Amended on May 14, 2012]