It's summer and it's hot. If you're a tourist visiting Seoul, or just a regular resident spending a lot of time outdoors, you're likely to overheat if you don't keep hydrated. You could spend 500-1000won every time you're thirsty at one of the ubiquitous convenience stores. But why waste your money, when Seoul's own water, Arisu, is famous for its taste and cleanliness?
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| Promotional images of Oasis Seoul, via Seoul City Government |
Oasis Seoul - free drinking water
Well you're in luck. The Seoul city government is running a project called "Oasis Seoul" (오아시스 서울) with partner businesses to provide free drinking water to anybody who stops in and presents their own reusable bottle. No purchase necessary. Just ask for a refill and head out.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is initiating its “Oasis Seoul” project wherein participating stores (i.e. cafes, restaurants) provide visitors with free drinking water if they bring their own cup (e.g. personal water bottle) no matter if they are not paying patrons.
The city envisioned this project as a precautionary measure against heat waves to prevent heat-related diseases of citizens, tourists, couriers, drivers, and other outdoor workers, as well as to reduce single-use plastics by encouraging the use of personal reusable water bottles.
Citizens can bring their personal water bottles to any business establishment with the “Oasis Seoul” sticker to receive free drinking water. A total of 1,017 stores, including cafes and restaurants, are participating in this project.
Free drinking water with the “Oasis Seoul” project | 서울정책아카이브 Seoul Solution
Where to find Oasis Seoul water dispensers
The ever-useful Smart Seoul Map has added a layer of Oasis Seoul participants, It's as easy as scrolling around and zooming into your area. For example, here's what it looks like in the Itaewon area. Clicking one of the Oasis Seoul icons near Itaewon Station, I can see that this is the Starbucks branch in the station complex.
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| Seoul Smart Map "Oasis Seoul" layer activated |
It also works great on mobile:
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| Image: Seoul Media Hub |
When you get there, you can verify that they are a participating business, or simply just browse around your area looking for the logo on the door or window. Participating locations have this icon displayed at the entrance:
Note that there are no "special" dispensers for this project or anything. It's the same old water you would get if you were a normal customer. You're probably familiar with the push-dispenser at Starbucks and similar shops, or the water pitchers some places set out.
Yeah, these is what they mean. Hardly a fancy new project or anything. The Oasis Seoul sticker is really just an indication that the business won't give you a stink eye for walking in and just taking water only.
There are plenty of locations participating, as you can see from the zoomed-out view:
Any tumbler, bottle, cup is acceptable. You don't need any specially branded up or anything. Just go in, fill her up, and be on your way.
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