Changwon City "Did Not Exclude Environmental Groups from Water Purification Facility Investigation Committee"

Statement on the Press Conference by Civic Groups

Changwon City Hall, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] The Water Purification Facility Investigation Committee of Changwon City, Gyeongnam, held its first meeting on the 24th at Daesan Water Purification Plant regarding the occurrence of larvae at Gamgye Welfare Center and began full-scale activities.

The Water Purification Facility Investigation Committee aims to identify any issues in the water production and supply system, conduct expanded investigations if problems are found, and promptly inform citizens if there are no abnormalities in production or supply to alleviate public concerns.

The committee was formed mainly with special investigation committee members who have experience with the larvae incident at Seokdong Water Purification Plant. The committee consists of nine members (2 university professors, 1 inspection agency, 1 environmental organization, 2 citizens, 2 city council members, and the first deputy mayor) and conducted on-site inspections of the water purification process, including rapid filtration and activated carbon filtration, on the 24th.

Earlier, on the 23rd, when forming the committee, the city inquired about the participation of representatives from the Water Life Citizens' Coalition and the Machangjin Environmental Movement Federation. After receiving responses indicating non-attendance and requests to change the meeting time, and considering the schedules of other members and the urgency to ease public anxiety, the meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 24th.

The city explained that it requested the environmental organizations to recommend other members if their representatives could not attend; however, the Machangjin Environmental Movement Federation recommended a co-representative who then did not attend, and the Water Life Citizens' Coalition did not make any recommendations.

A city official stated, "Environmental organizations were not excluded when forming the Water Purification Facility Investigation Committee," adding, "Given the urgent situation to quickly determine any abnormalities in tap water for the safety of citizens, the investigation committee could not be postponed to accommodate the schedules of environmental organizations."