Inspection completed at 17 out of 51 locations, no larvae found and no abnormalities detected
A scene of collecting filter media samples from the activated carbon filter during a special inspection of larvae at water purification plants in Gyeongnam Province.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do is conducting special inspections for larvae at 51 water purification plants in the province.
The province announced that it began the special inspection period on the 11th and has currently completed inspections at 17 water purification plants within the province.
A provincial official explained that the inspection results showed good hygiene conditions at the water purification plants and no abnormalities such as larvae occurrence throughout the entire water purification process.
Gyeongnam-do plans to sequentially complete inspections at the remaining 34 sites and intends to finish the special inspection period, originally scheduled until the 29th of this month, earlier by the 22nd.
During the inspection period, they are checking ▲whether larvae monitoring is conducted for all processes before water purification ▲maintenance of environments around the water purification plants where larvae may inhabit, and the management status of hygiene facilities at the plants, while also implementing larvae monitoring for each process before purification.
The province stated that considering the period of larvae occurrence risk, they shortened the inspection cycle on their own compared to the Ministry of Environment’s guideline for larvae monitoring frequency, which is once a week to once a day during normal times.
They inspect the entire water purification process from the water source to the purified water reservoir once daily, and have strengthened monitoring and operational guidelines for the plants by shortening the backwash cycle as well.
The Seokdong Water Purification Plant, where larvae were found on the 7th, plans to restore normal operation soon in cooperation with related agencies such as the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office.
A provincial official said, “To ease residents’ concerns about tap water quality due to the larvae incident, we are implementing a Home Tap Water Safety Confirmation Program,” adding, “Free water quality testing services can also be requested through the Water Love website or the city/county waterworks departments.”
Jeong Seok-won, Director of the Climate, Environment, and Forestry Bureau, said, “We are thoroughly inspecting water purification plants in the province to supply tap water that residents can drink with confidence,” and added, “Through this special inspection, we will once again confirm the hygiene status of the plants and do our best to provide safe tap water.”
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