Nakdong River Issues First Algae Alert ... Governor Park Wansu Inspects Algae Response and Safe Tap Water Supply

On June 12, Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu visited both Changnyeong-Haman Weir and Chilseo Intake Station to inspect the response to green algae in the Nakdong River basin and to assess the status of safe tap water supply.

Governor Park first visited Changnyeong-Haman Weir, which has a watershed area of 20,697 square kilometers and a storage capacity of 109 million cubic meters, to check on the current measures in place for algae response.

He then visited Chilseo Intake Station in Changwon, which is affected by the Nakdong River Algae Alert System, to review the progress of algae countermeasures and the operation status of water purification processes.

Previously, on June 8, the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office issued this year's first "Attention" level algae alert at the Chilseo point of the Nakdong River, as well as at the Mulgeum and Maeri points.

Governor Park Wansoo of South Gyeongsang Province (second from left) visits Changnyeong-Haman Weir to inspect the response to green algae and the status of safe tap water supply.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

Governor Park stated, "Protecting the safety of drinking water for residents is the top priority, even in the current algae situation," and urged, "Thoroughly manage the water purification process to prevent any inconvenience from tap water during the summer."

He also emphasized, "If algae outbreaks worsen and the alert level is raised in the future, make every effort to reduce algae promptly by operating dams and weirs in conjunction and deploying algae removal vessels at the right time."

Those accompanying the inspection included Seong Nakiin, the Mayor of Changnyeong County, the Director General of Environment and Forestry at Gyeongnam Province, as well as officials from Korea Water Resources Corporation and the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office.

Governor Park added, "We will continue to block the inflow of pollutants into the Nakdong River, systematically manage sources of water pollution through close cooperation with related agencies, and do our utmost to realize water welfare that prioritizes the health and safety of residents."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is inspecting the response to green algae and the safe drinking water supply situation at Chilseo Intake Station and is conversing with related officials including Seong Nakin, Mayor of Changnyeong County (far left). [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

Currently, Gyeongnam Province is focusing administrative resources on strengthening the management of water pollution sources and ensuring the safety of tap water in response to the algae alerts issued at Chilseo, Mulgeum, and Maeri points.

To reduce the inflow of total phosphorus (T-P), a key substance causing algae, the province is conducting special inspections of major pollution sources such as wastewater, livestock manure, and private sewage treatment facilities, based on its internally established "Gyeongsangnam-do Green Algae Response Guidelines."

Additionally, for intake stations affected by the algae alert system, the province has installed barriers, spray facilities, and surface aerators around water intake points to minimize the inflow of algae from the Nakdong River.

At water purification plants, management is being strengthened for facilities that use the Nakdong River as a water source, with advanced purification processes utilizing activated carbon and ozone, and the inspection frequency for algal toxins and odor-causing substances has been increased to at least once per week.

According to Gyeongnam Province, no algal toxins have been detected so far in purified tap water.

The province plans to further strengthen the management of pollution sources and the operation of intake and purification plants to respond to summer algae outbreaks and, in cooperation with relevant agencies, ensure the safe supply of tap water to residents.

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