Gyeonggi-do Health and Environment Research Institute Conducts 'Water Quality Tests' at 290 Springs

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment will conduct joint water quality inspections with city and county governments on 290 public drinking water facilities (spring water sites) from April to June.

The water quality inspection items include a total of 47 items: ▲4 microbial items such as Escherichia coli ▲12 harmful inorganic substances to health such as cadmium and arsenic ▲17 harmful organic substances to health such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) ▲14 aesthetic impact substances such as taste and odor.

The Institute plans to notify the managing local governments of any spring water sites found to be non-compliant based on the inspection results, recommending prompt guidance on the exceedance and corrective actions. After suspension of use, cleaning and disinfection, removal of nearby pollution sources and cleaning, repair of water intake facilities, and measures to block external pollution sources will be carried out, followed by re-inspection to decide whether to resume use. However, if the water source is depleted or facilities causing water pollution are installed near the water source, the facility will be closed.

Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment Exterior View

Last year, the Institute found 62 non-compliant cases among 265 spring water sites. Of these, 92% (57 sites) exceeded microbial item standards such as total coliform and Yersinia bacteria. The responsible local governments recommended measures such as installing UV sterilizers.

The Institute will make the water quality inspection results easily accessible to residents by publishing them on spring water facility information boards, the Gyeonggi-do official website (www.gg.go.kr), and the Gyeonggi Water Information System (water.gg.go.kr) under the ‘Our Neighborhood Spring Water Sites’ menu.

Gwon Bo-yeon, Director of the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "To ensure the safety of drinking water at spring water sites, the province and city/county governments are jointly conducting water quality surveys. We will do our best to establish appropriate management measures according to pollution causes so that residents can use the facilities with confidence."