Sangwoong Park Proposes Partial Amendment to Sewerage Act for Special Disaster Zones

Areas Declared as Special Disaster Zones
Designated as Priority Sewer Maintenance Management Areas
Without Separate Application Procedures

"We must not miss the golden time for sewer maintenance, and this will serve as a turning point to strengthen disaster response capabilities."

Sangwoong Park, a member of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee (representing Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, and Deputy Floor Leader), sponsored a partial amendment to the Sewerage Act on August 27. The bill allows regions declared as special disaster zones due to heavy rain and other damages to be designated as priority sewer maintenance management areas through a so-called fast-track process, without a separate application procedure.

Sangwoong Park, Member of the National Assembly. Provided by the Office of the Member of the National Assembly

Under the current Sewerage Act, the Minister of Environment, in consultation with provincial governors, designates areas at risk of flooding or water quality deterioration as priority sewer maintenance management areas. Heads of local governments may also request such designation from the Ministry of Environment if they deem it urgent.

However, despite 42 cities and counties nationwide being designated as special disaster zones due to recent record-breaking torrential rains and sewer overflow damage, they must still go through a separate application process to be designated as priority sewer maintenance management areas and carry out disaster prevention projects. This has led to growing calls for institutional improvements.

Accordingly, this amendment aims to allow regions declared as special disaster zones to promptly establish sewer maintenance measures, expedite the repair of aging sewer systems, and protect the lives and property of the public.

Sangwoong Park emphasized, "The public is suffering greatly due to record rainfall and sewer overflows," adding, "In special disaster zones where damage has been confirmed, sewer maintenance should be carried out swiftly without going through complicated procedures."

He further stated, "Through this amendment, I hope we do not miss the golden time for sewer maintenance and that it becomes a turning point for strengthening our disaster response capabilities," explaining the legislative intent.

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