Gyeonggi Province to Crack Down on Soil and Water Pollution in Paldang Water Source Area

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government will begin guidance and crackdowns on illegally piled compost in order to prevent soil and water contamination in the Paldang Water Source Management Area, starting on March 23.

With the farming season approaching, there have been instances where some livestock and crop farmers are piling livestock manure compost not in proper storage facilities such as compost sheds, but instead on public land, private land, riverbanks, and roadsides.

In particular, during the monsoon season, leachate from compost left exposed outdoors can pollute the soil, and if it flows into rivers, there are concerns that it could lead to water quality deterioration.

Accordingly, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government plans to strengthen the management of illegally piled compost, focusing on the Paldang Water Source Management Area, including Yongin, Gwangju, Namyangju, Yangpyeong, Icheon, Yeoju, and Gapyeong.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Key enforcement measures include: ▲on-site surveys in cooperation with the Korea Environmental Preservation Association; ▲information sharing and role coordination among the province, cities and counties, and related organizations and groups; ▲joint guidance, inspections, and advisories (such as installing covers and maintaining drainage ditches); and ▲prevention of improper storage and removal of illegally piled compost before the rainy season.

In addition, livestock and crop farmers are being advised to install covers such as tarpaulins or tents over compost piles to prevent leachate runoff. If these rules are violated and compost is left illegally, administrative actions such as removal, prosecution, and imposition of fines will be taken.

Kim Geungi, Head of Water Quality Management at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, stated, "The Paldang water source is an important source of drinking water for residents of the Seoul metropolitan area," and added, "We will thoroughly manage compost piles to prevent water pollution and preserve the natural environment."

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