Incheon Water Purification Facility Introduces ISO 22000... Upgrades Water Treatment Plant to Enclosed Type to Prevent 'Tap Water Larvae'

Report on Recurrence Prevention Measures to Prime Minister Visiting Bupyeong Water Purification Plant
Replacement of Aging Water Pipes in Gongchon and Bupyeong Water Systems by 2025
Operation of 'Incheon-style Water Care' Inspecting Water Quality through Home Visits

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is inspecting the response situation related to the occurrence of larvae in tap water at Bupyeong Water Purification Plant in Incheon on the 25th.
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will convert the Gongchon Water Purification Plant, where the 'tap water larvae' incident occurred, into a sealed facility and improve all water treatment facilities in the area to the hygiene standards of food factories.

On the 25th, Incheon City reported the 'Tap Water Larvae Recurrence Prevention Measures' and the 'Tap Water Citizen Trust Recovery Project' containing these details to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun during his visit to the Bupyeong Water Purification Plant in Incheon.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "As a result of continuous monitoring of the tap water supply route, which includes the water purification plant, water storage tank, supply blocks, and consumers, no more larvae have been found," adding, "Although some larvae remaining in the water pipes have been found in households, necessary measures such as hydrant flushing are being actively taken, and stabilization is expected soon."

The city plans to improve the advanced water treatment facilities, including converting the Gongchon Water Purification Plant in Seo-gu, where a large number of larvae were found, into a sealed type by October.

Previously, the Gongchon Water Purification Plant had not been fully sealed due to the construction of an ozone treatment facility and was put into early operation in September last year. It was suggested that flying insects laid eggs in the activated carbon filter pond (a pond-type facility using powdered activated carbon for water purification), causing larvae to appear.

A large number of insect and moth carcasses were also found inside the filter pond building of this water purification plant.

The city will also operate the 'Incheon-type Water Care' starting next month, which inspects water quality and other conditions by visiting homes upon application via an app or phone call.

By October, a system will be established where citizens can directly monitor water quality together with the Mayor of Incheon through 'Smartphone Water Quality Disclosure' and the 'Online Citizen Mayor's Office.'

In particular, following experts' opinions that a scientific water management system exceeding advanced country standards is necessary beyond recurrence prevention, the city plans to implement fundamental measures and restore citizen trust through bold investments.

To this end, all water treatment facilities will introduce 'ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System)' by next year, adhering to the hygiene standards of food factories. The old water pipes in the water systems of the Gongchon Water Purification Plant and Bupyeong Water Purification Plant, where the tap water larvae damage occurred, will also be replaced by 2025.

Additionally, the city plans to introduce a 'Smart Water Supply System' integrating the government's Green New Deal and Digital New Deal by 2022.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun inspected the tap water larvae occurrence situation at the Bupyeong Water Purification Plant in Incheon on the same day and instructed the prompt preparation of recurrence prevention measures.

Prime Minister Chung said, "Tap water is closely related to the lives of the people, and it is regrettable that such an accident was not prevented in advance," urging a swift resolution and comprehensive measures.

He continued, "To produce tap water that the public can trust, the central and local governments must work as one team and thoroughly inspect the fundamental tap water production and supply system," he instructed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.