Lee Hak-su, Jeongeup Mayor, Visits Okjeongho Area... Orders Measures Against Green Algae

Published 05 Oct.2022 13:24(KST)

[Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil] On the 1st, Lee Hak-su, mayor of Jeongeup City, visited the Okjeongho area in Sannae-myeon, Jeongeup City, received a report on the spread of green algae, and instructed measures to be taken.

The mayor emphasized, “Check the response situation to green algae occurrence on site and strengthen the work system with related organizations such as Jeonbuk Province (Water Environment Management Division) and the Korea Water Resources Corporation to minimize the spread of green algae.”

He continued, “As green algae persist in Okjeongho, the water source for Jeongeup citizens, the severity is increasing and citizens’ anxiety about tap water is rising,” demanding fundamental measures from Jeonbuk Province for the management of Okjeongho.

He also urged the implementation of the Okjeongho Water Area City-County Win-Win Cooperation Declaration (May 26, 2015) regarding the development plan of the Okjeongho water surface by Imsil County, stating, “Development of the water surface that affects the pollution of the water source must be stopped.”

Article 4 of the ‘Okjeongho Water Area City-County Win-Win Cooperation Declaration,’ signed in 2015 by the Governor of Jeonbuk Province, the Mayor of Jeongeup, the County Head of Imsil, and the County Head of Sunchang, states, “In the use of the water surface and waterfront development of the Okjeongho water area, mutual organic consultation shall be conducted.”

Nevertheless, on July 20, Shim Min, the County Head of Imsil, revealed on a broadcast, “We are calmly preparing for water surface development that allows boats to be launched and ecological exploration boats to operate on Okjeongho.”

Regarding this, the mayor emphasized that if such water surface use activities occur in violation of Article 4 of the Win-Win Cooperation Declaration, which stipulates mutual organic consultation in the use of the water surface and waterfront development of the Okjeongho water area, Jeongeup City will not overlook Imsil County’s development plans and will respond strongly.

Additionally, at a press conference held at Jeongeup City Hall on the 26th of last month, he expressed concerns about the occurrence of green algae in Okjeongho, the water source for Jeongeup citizens, and thanked the Jeongeup local civic group (Jeongeup Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee for Securing Safe Drinking Water), which has been striving to secure a safe water source, for their efforts.

At the press conference, the Jeongeup Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee for Securing Safe Drinking Water claimed regarding the green algae occurrence, “The reason why the green algae condition is more distinct in the direction of the Unam discharge outlet (Imsil) than the Chilbo power plant discharge outlet in Jeongeup City is presumed to be due to waterfront development by Imsil County.”

The green algae in Okjeongho, which began in July, have continued until October.

The city and the Jeongeup branch of the Korea Water Resources Corporation have established a close cooperative system with related organizations (Nong-eochon Corporation Dongjin Branch, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Chilbo Power Plant) and have been cutting off raw water supply from the Unam discharge outlet, where green algae are severe, since the 21st of last month, and supplying safe tap water by treating relatively clean raw water from the Chilbo power plant discharge outlet.

Since the 26th of last month, Jeonbuk Province (Water Environment Management Division) has been operating a joint green algae response TF team with related organizations, strengthening cooperation with the TF team and conducting joint special crackdowns on the upper reaches of the Okjeongho water source.

Along with this, the Korea Water Resources Corporation plans to continue disturbance operations with two vessels and its own vehicles to prevent further spread of green algae until the situation subsides.