The name Bosu-dong was derived from the name of the Bosu-cheon River. This name was put into use right after the Busan port formally opened. The river was formerly called Beopsu-cheon. According to [Gandongeogi Jeonmal Deungnok], the Sumun gate of Waegwan was located in front of the eastern cliff of Beopsu-cheon as the river flowed through Choryang. This river is also recorded as Beopsu-cheon of Choryang in [Sunyeong Deongnok].

The word Beopsu used in Buddhist teaching has an allegorical meaning and stands for the sacred water that cleans off human anguish. In other words, the water from Beopsu washes away any troubling matters of the mind.

After the opening of the Busan port, the name Beopsu-cheon was changed to Bosu-cheon, as it has an identical meaning.
In 1880, a water service facility was installed for the first time in our country in the form of a bamboo pipeline, through which water was supplied from the upper stream of the Bosu-cheon River. In 1886, the bamboo pipeline was replaced with a wooden pipeline. By 1894, a water reservoir was newly constructed at the upper stream of the Bosu-cheon River with a natural filtering facility.

Along with the construction of the reservoir, a water distribution station was built near the residential area. This was the beginning of the water supply system in our country.