"You Can Drink It Now" ... Changwon-si Jinhae Tap Water 'Suitable'

Results of 60 Legal Water Quality Tests Show Usual Levels and Decreasing Larvae Trends

The Special Investigation Committee on Larvae at Seokdong Water Purification Plant in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam is verifying the purification process at the plant.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the 20th, 14 days after the discovery of larvae at Seokdong Water Purification Plant in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province announced that the tap water quality in Jinhae-gu is 'suitable.'

The city stated that it established a special investigation committee and has been working with the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office to eliminate larvae at the water purification plant and other locations.

They explained that they are cleaning rapid and activated carbon filters, increasing ozone injection to enhance inactivation rates, and adding appropriate coagulant aids to strengthen sedimentation functions.

A city official said, "In the legal water quality test of 60 items on water sampled on the 11th, there were no items exceeding water quality standards, and the comprehensive judgment also showed suitability."

He added, "The total trihalomethane level, a carcinogenic substance, was measured at 0.038 to 0.048 ppm, which is lower compared to 0.057 ppm last year."

He said, "We are carefully taking measures to manage water quality and normalize water purification production by cooperating technically with the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, reviewing various cases, and adjusting chemical injection amounts through expert consultation. Currently, the water quality is maintained at the same level as last year during a similar period."

He continued, "The number of larvae needs to be monitored a bit longer, but it is decreasing. We are already discharging tap water within the supplied pipelines, and once the tap water inside the pipelines is removed, the tap water will soon be normalized," he emphasized.

The city plans to conduct water quality analysis at regular intervals and continuously disclose the results as they become available.

A city official recommended, "Although the tap water supplied to Jinhae-gu meets the 60 drinking water quality standards, sensitive individuals such as infants and children are advised to boil the water before drinking."