Incheon’s Haneulsu: Korea’s Leading Tap Water Brand for Four Consecutive Years

Incheon Metropolitan City’s tap water brand, Incheon Haneulsu, has once again been recognized as the nation’s premier tap water, securing the top prize in its category at the 2026 New York Festivals Korea-National Brand Awards (NYF K-NBA). This marks the fourth consecutive year that Incheon Haneulsu has received this prestigious accolade, underscoring its consistent quality and public trust.

The Korea National Brand Awards, now in its 17th year, is a global recognition event organized by the internationally renowned New York Festivals, one of the world’s top three advertising festivals. The awards aim to identify and promote leading Korean brands to a global audience. The significance of Incheon Haneulsu’s win is further amplified by the fact that consumers directly participated in evaluating key brand attributes such as awareness, identity, satisfaction, loyalty, and international competitiveness. This outcome reflects the genuine trust and positive experiences of citizens using the water daily, providing objective proof of the brand’s strength.

The name ‘Incheon Haneulsu’, meaning ‘clean water bestowed by Incheon’s sky’, was collaboratively developed with citizens, including its official logo. Since its official declaration in 2022, the brand has steadily grown, with Incheon City actively expanding both online and offline campaigns and citizen participation programs. These initiatives are designed to make Incheon Haneulsu more accessible and integrated into the daily lives of its residents.

Incheon City has implemented advanced measures to uphold the ‘clean value’ that Incheon Haneulsu represents. These include obtaining international ISO22000 Food Safety Management System certification, expanding advanced water purification facilities, and introducing smart water management systems to ensure the production of high-quality tap water. Furthermore, the city is committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles through initiatives such as producing eco-friendly, label-free bottled water and actively promoting energy conservation.

Jang Byeong-hyeon, head of Incheon City’s Waterworks Headquarters, expressed gratitude for the continuous public support. “Achieving this award for four consecutive years was possible thanks to the unwavering trust of Incheon citizens in Haneulsu,” he stated. “We are dedicated not only to supplying clean and safe tap water but also to actively engaging with citizens to further elevate the value of the Incheon Haneulsu brand.”

Source: 인천광역시 — Original Notice (Korean)