"Could It Be Our Home Too?"... Water Mixed with Larvae for a Week, What Now?

Midge Larvae Keep Appearing at Changwon Seokdong Water Purification Plant
Avoid Showering and Soak Toothbrushes in Boiled Water
Frequent Water Purifier Filter Replacement and Increased Bottled Water Consumption

On the 14th, a view of the intake well facility inside the Seokdong Water Purification Plant in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. The intake well is a facility that settles foreign substances contained in the raw water, stabilizes the water level changes of the raw water, and conducts various water quality tests such as flow measurement and chlorine injection before sending it to the next process. Photo by Hwang Sumi choko216@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] "It's hot and I sweat a lot, but washing with water that has larvae makes me feel even more uneasy."

Some residents in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, hesitate to wash even after sweating heavily in the hot and humid weather these days. They also hesitate to drink water even when thirsty. This is because chironomid larvae have been found in tap water in the Jinhae-gu area for a week since the 7th.

On the 14th, Mr. Choi, in his 30s, living in an apartment in Pungho-dong, Jinhae-gu, said he has recently been unable to use tap water comfortably. It has become a habit to soak his toothbrush in boiled water after brushing his teeth. This is due to concerns that larvae might be found in the water. He especially feels more anxious because he has a baby at home. Mr. Choi expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I have to wash the baby, but I don't feel at ease." He is even considering whether he should boil water from the water purifier before drinking it.

Similarly, Mr. Lee, also in his 30s and raising a baby, shared a similar situation. He said, "I can't shake off the uneasy feeling when taking a shower or bath." He also mentioned that the frequency of replacing the shower filter, which was installed a year ago, has recently increased.

As the situation unfolded, the number of people seeking bottled water at large supermarkets in the Jinhae-gu area has also increased. According to a representative of a large supermarket in Seokdong on the 14th, the average sales amount of 2L bottled water at the store from the 7th to the 13th, the week when chironomid larvae were found, was 835,000 KRW. This is a 13.14% increase compared to the same period the previous week (June 30 to July 6). Compared to two weeks ago (June 23 to 29), it increased by 24.81%. Mr. Choi, in his 50s, who buys bottled water every summer due to concerns about water quality, said, "Especially after hearing the news about larvae being found this time, I am buying more bottled water," and added that he uses bottled water instead of tap water when cooking rice.

On the 14th, Nakdong River Gyeongnam Network and Jinhae YWCA, along with other civic groups, visited the Seokdong Water Purification Plant in Changwon City to observe the water purification process and discuss the city's announcement regarding the occurrence of larvae in tap water. Photo by Hwang Sumi choko216@asiae.co.kr

Larvae continue to be detected at the Changwon Seokdong Water Purification Plant. According to Changwon City on the 14th, 157 additional larvae were found at 20 locations including the tap water production process, water reservoirs, and households the previous day. This is the highest number since Changwon City first discovered larvae on the 7th and began monitoring larvae occurrence by installing collection nets at 37 points along the supply system.

In particular, household complaints increased by two cases on the same day in Idong and Musong-dong, Jinhae-gu, bringing the total to seven locations. Among these, two cases were finally identified as chironomid larvae, while the others could not be analyzed due to larvae loss or were confirmed to be earthworm larvae.

In response, the city decided to temporarily close the Ancheong Park water playground, which uses tap water from the Seokdong Water Purification Plant, starting from the 9th. Upon visiting the facility on the 14th, no one was found enjoying the water playground. Only a banner fluttered, informing that the water playground would be temporarily closed until the larvae issue is resolved.

Additionally, schools, public institutions, and residents have been advised to boil tap water before consumption until further notice. It was explained that the harmfulness of chironomid larvae has not been confirmed and that the water meets all drinking water quality standards, so there is no problem using it as domestic water.

On the 14th, there were no people enjoying the water playground at Ancheong Park in Changwon, Gyeongnam. On the 9th, Changwon City decided to temporarily close the facility after larvae were found at the Seokdong Water Purification Plant. Photo by Hwang Sumi choko216@asiae.co.kr

However, among residents, there are still reactions of "I can't trust it." Mr. Jung, who visited the Seokdong Water Purification Plant on the 14th and inspected the water treatment process firsthand, claimed, "The discovery of chironomid larvae, an indicator species of Grade 4 water where fish cannot survive, shows that the water is contaminated." He criticized Changwon City's response, saying, "Telling people to boil the tap water with larvae is like telling them to eat the larvae cooked."

He also pointed out that the city and related agencies are not showing a strong will to prepare active countermeasures for this issue. He urged for an investigation into the water quality of the Nakdong River raw water and the use of emergency water supply facilities to provide safe drinking water to residents.

Some voices criticize Changwon City's delayed response. The larvae suspected to be chironomids were found at the Seokdong Water Purification Plant around 10 a.m. on the 7th. However, the city reported this to the Nakdong River Environmental Office around 5 p.m. on the 8th, a day later. The residents were informed around 10:40 p.m. on the same day (the 8th). This was 36 hours after the larvae were first discovered. The announcement was only a briefing lasting about four minutes.

Under current law, violations of water quality standards that must be reported to residents in the jurisdiction do not include cases of "chironomid or other larvae," so there is no obligation to immediately notify residents when larvae are found. However, this response has increased residents' distrust of tap water and lowered administrative credibility, according to civic groups such as the Nakdong River Gyeongnam Network and Jinhae YWCA. These groups expressed anger, saying, "The fact that larvae are coming out of drinking water consumed by 150,000 people and Changwon City did not properly inform residents means they are treating residents' health care lightly."

Although residents' anxiety and inconvenience are growing, the cause of this incident is still under investigation. Changwon City estimates that the larvae were introduced from the Nakdong River Bonpo raw water, the intake source of the Seokdong Water Purification Plant. They explained that larvae eggs floating in the Nakdong River Bonpo raw water were found after checking two intake sources for related investigations.

However, no larvae were found at the Changwon Bansong Water Purification Plant, which also uses raw water from the Nakdong River Bonpo, like the Seokdong Water Purification Plant. This raises questions about the water treatment process at the Seokdong Water Purification Plant. On the 14th, Eunjeong Yoo, a member of the Hansalim Gyeongnam Environmental Committee, visited both the Seokdong and Bansong Water Purification Plants and said, "The filtration facilities at the Bansong Water Purification Plant seem to be managed much more systematically and thoroughly."

Meanwhile, Changwon City plans to carry out repair work on the multi-layer filtration nets and additionally operate the ozone facility to inactivate chironomids in order to normalize the Seokdong Water Purification Plant process. The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office is responding by forming an on-site technical support team with the Korea Water Resources Corporation Nakdong River Basin Water Supply Center. The on-site technical support team began a detailed investigation on the 8th, when the larvae occurrence was reported, inspecting sedimentation basins, rapid filtration basins, activated carbon filtration basins, and investigating whether the facilities are being operated properly. The Ministry of Environment is actively reviewing budget support plans for facility improvements at the Seokdong Water Purification Plant and plans to continuously monitor technical advice and implementation status.

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