Changwon Mayor Hong Nampyo: "Will Completely Overhaul the Water Management System Full of Ambiguities and Loopholes"

Announcement of Follow-up Action Plan After Seokdong Water Purification Plant Tap Water Larvae Incident

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam, announcing the follow-up action plan after the larvae incident in Seokdong Water Purification Plant tap water. / Photo by Ryeong Lee

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Hong Nampyo, mayor of Changwon City, Gyeongnam, stated on the 29th, “The Jinhae-gu tap water larvae incident occurred due to insufficient water quality management and inspection systems during the purification process and supply stages.”

On the 28th, the Seokdong Water Purification Plant Larvae Investigation Special Committee concluded its activities and announced the causes and countermeasures for the larvae outbreak and spread. However, Mayor Hong additionally disclosed findings from the city’s own investigation.

Mayor Hong said, “The incident happened because the Water Quality Research Center within the Waterworks Office was established and operated without proper division of duties between the center and each purification plant.”

He added, “Because the roles were unclear, there were gaps in the system that guarantees water quality management and inspection at each purification and supply stage. Through discussions with Waterworks Office staff, we concluded that the existing system is outdated in terms of water quality management.”

Water production process in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.

According to the city, the Changwon City Waterworks Office purifies raw water and supplies tap water to its jurisdiction through departments such as the Water Quality Research Center, Seokdong Purification Division, Daesan Purification Division, and Chilseo Purification Division.

The raw water taken in undergoes purification processes at the respective regional purification divisions, then the purified water is gathered at the purification plants, stored secondarily in reservoirs, and finally supplied to citizens.

Mayor Hong stated, “Water quality inspections should be conducted at every stage, and strict water quality management should be maintained in detailed processes such as sedimentation, rapid filtration, and activated carbon filtration, but Seokdong Purification Plant failed to do so.”

As a short-term measure for tap water quality management, he declared, “We will assign clear roles at each purification and supply stage and deploy personnel experienced in water management.”

He also promised ▲installation of double doors at purification plant entrances ▲completion of larvae blocking devices at reservoir inlets and outlets ▲provision of bottled water to vulnerable groups and daycare centers by the second week of August.

For long-term measures, he proposed ▲construction of backwash water discharge facilities ▲establishment of emergency supply networks between purification plants, showing willingness to secure related national funding.

He expressed his intention to completely improve the previously criticized unclear responsibilities among staff and the outdated tap water quality management system.

Mayor Hong said, “We will inspect all stages throughout the purification and supply processes and firmly reset the roles and responsibilities of personnel at each stage,” adding, “We will also strengthen training to enhance each employee’s capabilities.”

He also proposed ▲regular crisis response drills at purification plants simulating incidents such as larvae and algal blooms ▲requesting technical diagnoses of purification plants from external organizations ▲forming and operating a public-private council for tap water management.

Mayor Hong revealed a goal to introduce the international certification for food safety management system ISO22000 to Seokdong and Daesan Purification Plants, in addition to the currently ongoing Bansong and Chilseo Purification Plants.

The city plans to reduce water bills by 50% for two months for Jinhae-gu residents receiving water from Seokdong Purification Plant.

The discounted amount will be applied to the bills for August and September for eligible residents.

Mayor Hong said, “Since August 21, when reinforcement of the purification process and installation of microfilters at reservoirs, distribution reservoirs, and water inlets were completed, clean tap water has been supplied,” and urged, “Please be sure to clean water tanks or storage tanks in homes and apartments as larvae may remain in the water.”

He continued, “We will completely and surely replace the outdated systems and facilities throughout the tap water management system,” and bowed his head, apologizing to all citizens who felt anxious and inconvenienced, promising to do his best to supply safe and clean water.

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