Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police to Intensively Crack Down on Wastewater Discharge Facilities During Rainy Season

Gyeonggi Province will conduct an intensive investigation into 360 wastewater discharge facilities and related sites in the province from July 7 to July 18.

This measure aims to prevent river pollution caused by the illegal discharge of wastewater, the abandonment of sewage and waste, and other illegal activities that take advantage of the heavy rainfall during the rainy season, which can lead to pollutants being washed into public water bodies along with rainwater.

The main targets of the investigation include: ▲ the installation and operation of unlicensed or unreported wastewater discharge facilities; ▲ the discharge of pollutants without routing them through pollution prevention facilities, or the installation of facilities that allow such discharge; and ▲ acts that pollute the water quality of public water bodies such as rivers.

Gyeonggi-do Intensive Crackdown Notice Poster for Wastewater Discharge Facilities during the Rainy Season

Under the current Water Environment Conservation Act, those who install or operate unlicensed or unreported wastewater discharge facilities may face up to seven years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 70 million won. Those who discharge pollutants without routing them through pollution prevention facilities, or install facilities that allow such discharge, may face up to five years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won. Acts that pollute the water quality of public water bodies such as rivers may be punished by up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Ki Ido, head of the provincial special judicial police unit, stated, "We have decided to conduct an intensive investigation of wastewater discharge facilities in order to proactively prevent water pollution activities, such as the unauthorized discharge of wastewater during the rainy season." He added, "Clean rivers are a shared asset for all residents of the province, and we will do our utmost to ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe and clean river environment."