71% of Rivers in Gyeonggi-do Have Water Quality Grades 1-2, 'Good Water'

Cover of Gyeonggi-do Water Quality Evaluation Report by Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

Seventy-one percent of rivers in Gyeonggi Province were analyzed to have ‘good water’ quality, rated as Grade 1 to 2.

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 11th that, as a result of analyzing the water quality at 133 points across 49 rivers in the province last year, 95 points, accounting for 71.4%, were evaluated as having ‘good water’ (Grade 1 to 2). The proportion of good water improved by 4.2 percentage points compared to 2013.

From January to December last year, the Institute published the ‘Gyeonggi-do Water Quality Evaluation Report,’ which includes monthly water quality measurements conducted by the institute and the Ministry of Environment at 133 points across 49 rivers such as Namhan River, Bukhan River, Han River, and Anseongcheon.

The water quality analysis showed that 71.4% (95 points) were rated as Grade 2 (slightly good) or higher based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) standards. Grades 1 and 2 correspond to a BOD of 3.0 mg/L or less, indicating water quality suitable for general water treatment use, such as domestic water or swimming water.

In particular, seven mid-regions including Gyeongancheon, Uiam Dam, Hongcheon River, Cheongpyeong Dam, Paldang Dam, upper Imjingang, lower Imjingang, and lower Han River were all rated as ‘good water’ (Grade 2 or higher) across all 29 points.

The reason for the decrease in the proportion of good water compared to last year was explained as the deterioration of water quality during the dry season in the Han River basin (a period when water sources are depleted due to drought or when water does not flow due to winter freezing).

The Water Quality Evaluation Report has been published annually since 2018 to secure basic data for water quality improvement and efficient management of rivers and lakes (including swamps and lakes) in the province.

Park Yong-bae, director of the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "We publish the report every year so that public institutions and residents can recognize the importance of water quality management and utilize it for water quality improvement." He added, "Since this report reflects the water quality survey results of rivers and lakes in the province, it has high value as basic data for water quality improvement."

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