Boryeong Ready-Mix Concrete Company Suspected of Illegal Wastewater Discharge... City to File Complaint with Prosecutors

Possibility of Boryeong Dam Inflow... Company Says "About 7-8km Away from Boryeong Dam Water Intake"

Appearance of wastewater illegally discharged by Company A / Informant

The city of Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, has taken action after allegations surfaced that a ready-mixed concrete manufacturer in Seongju-myeon was illegally discharging wastewater.

According to Asia Economy's coverage on the 28th, Company A, which produces ready-mixed concrete and extracts stone and soil, is suspected of discharging water from a vehicle washing facility installed at the company’s entrance into a drainage channel without authorization.

It has been reported that the wastewater illegally discharged by this company flowed into Boryeong Dam, which supplies domestic water to eight cities and counties in South Chungcheong Province.

Inbiotech, a company specializing in air, water, and odor measurement, analyzed a sludge sample from Company A on October 15 and found that the level of 'organophosphorus' detected was 1.969 mg/L, nearly twice the standard limit (1 mg/L).

Organophosphorus (organic compounds containing phosphorus) is designated as hazardous waste by the Ministry of Environment due to its potential for soil and water pollution, and must be incinerated or collected by specialized companies.

Company A is also suspected of violating the Mountainous Districts Management Act by illegally converting forest land and creating a parking lot.

A whistleblower stated, "I identified Company A's illegal activities and have filed several complaints with Boryeong City and others since May," adding, "Despite the situation, the city has responded passively so far."

A representative of Company A said, "I understand that environmental groups have been filing complaints since May. Our company is about 7 to 8 kilometers away from the Boryeong Dam intake," and added, "It is true that muddy water sometimes flows down during the rainy season, but under normal circumstances, it does not."

The representative continued, "We did not damage forest land to create a parking lot," and added, "We have refurbished the speed bump and drainage channel in front of the vehicle washing facility as requested by environmental groups."

A city official stated, "After confirming Company A's illegal activities, we gave a preliminary notice of a 10-day suspension of operations on the 15th for discharging wastewater without passing it through prevention facilities," and added, "We plan to file a complaint with the prosecution."