The aggravating water quality from the expansion of industrialization along with increasing population lead to develop more intensive physical measures to secure better drinking water quality. This study was mainly initiated to establish a water-pollutant buffering zone for the upper stream basin of Paldang--the major source area of drinking water for the metropolitan Seoul and suburban areas with a population more than 13 million. Two different criteria were considered in determining the buffering distance from the edge of the streamflow : 1km-width buffer zone for the special protection area which has been strictly controlled by the conventional laws for the protection of drinking water supply, and 500m-width buffer zone for the rest of the area. To delineate the exact boundaries of the water-pollutant buffering zone, GIS database was created integrating topography, hydrography, cadastral, and other related layers. The newly designated water-pollutant buffering zone would contribute to improve the water quality in a long term along with the conservation of the wet land. More study, however, should be made within the water-pollutant buffering zone such as the detailed survey of the pollutants, vegetation, and ecosystem for more effective management of the buffering zone.