Gangjin County Implements Measures to Improve Water Quality in Mandeok District with 9.3 Billion Won Investment

Significant National Funding Reduces County's Financial Burden
Water Quality Improvement Project for Sannaeho in Sinjeon-myeon Also Under Review

Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jinwon) is implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the water quality of Mandeokho, which spans the Mandeok and Hakjang-ri areas in Doam-myeon.

According to the county on the 7th, Mandeokho is a freshwater reservoir with a total storage capacity of 1,397,000 cubic meters. Over the past five years, its average water quality has been rated at Grade 5 (TOC standard 6.6mg/L). In particular, due to the small watershed area, there is little external inflow during rainfall, and a vicious cycle occurs as used water repeatedly flows back into Mandeokho.

In response, the county will actively pursue water quality improvement projects, aiming to meet the agricultural water quality standard (Grade 4) stipulated in Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy. The project has a total budget of 9.325 billion KRW, of which 7.46 billion KRW, or 80%, will be secured from national funds.

Exterior view of Gangjin County Office.

Thanks to the county's proactive efforts to attract national funding, it will be able to carry out effective water quality improvement projects while minimizing the financial burden.

The project includes the creation of artificial wetlands, installation of artificial forest plantations for water purification, and maintenance of drainage channels. The artificial wetlands will be established to treat wastewater from fish farms, while the artificial forest plantations will purify water flowing into Mandeokho. Maintenance of the central and eastern drainage channels in the reclaimed land will remove aquatic plants and topsoil, and pollutants will be treated using coagulation and sedimentation methods.

Once the project is completed, the water quality of Mandeokho is expected to improve from the current Grade 5 to Grade 4 (TOC standard 4.5mg/L). This will provide high-quality agricultural water and establish a stable foundation for agricultural production, thereby contributing to the protection of residents' health.

A local farmer near Mandeokho said, "Securing clean agricultural water will improve both the yield and quality of crops," adding, "With the production of safe agricultural products, consumer trust will also increase." Another farmer expressed expectations for the project, saying, "If the water quality improves, concerns among fishermen in Gangjin Bay about water discharge will also be alleviated."

Governor Kang Jinwon stated, "Through this water quality improvement project, we will secure safe agricultural water and do our utmost to improve the aquatic environment of Gangjin Bay."

Meanwhile, the county finalized the securing of project funds, including national funding, for Mandeokho's water quality improvement last year and plans to begin detailed design this year. In addition, Sannaeho in Sinjeon-myeon has also been rated at Grade 5 water quality in recent years and is considered in need of improvement. Based on the Mandeokho water quality improvement project, the county also plans to review additional water quality improvement projects for Sannaeho.