TCE and PCE Detected at Dozens of Times the Standard...
Five Years of Missed Inspections
Contamination Confirmed but Neglected for Two Years...
Delayed Response from Local Authorities
Company Submitted 'Non-Detection' Report,
But TCE Found at 6.9 Times the Standard
Carcinogenic substances classified as Group 1, exceeding the legal standard, were detected in industrial groundwater at the Hanam Industrial Complex in Gwangju. However, it was revealed that this groundwater had not been included in water quality inspections for the past five years. The water quality management system of Gwangsan-gu, which took no action for over two years even after confirming the contamination, has come under scrutiny.
Groundwater and Soil Contamination Distribution Map of Hanam Industrial Complex, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
Gwangsan-gu recently launched a full-scale investigation of 245 groundwater wells installed in the Hanam Industrial Complex and surrounding urban areas. This measure was taken after it was confirmed that TCE (trichloroethylene) and PCE (tetrachloroethylene) were detected in the groundwater at levels exceeding the legal standard. Out of the 136 wells for which test results have been released so far, two industrial wells were found to contain TCE and PCE above the standard.
In particular, the groundwater used by Company A contained TCE at 18.8 times the standard and PCE at 7.9 times the standard. However, it was confirmed that this groundwater had not undergone any water quality inspection since it was voluntarily reported in 2020. According to relevant laws, users of industrial and non-potable domestic groundwater of 30 tons or more are required to conduct water quality inspections every three years. However, Gwangsan-gu failed to take action because it was not even aware that Company A was subject to inspection.
The reliability of the water quality inspection process itself has also come under scrutiny. The groundwater used by Company B contained TCE at 6.9 times the standard, but three years ago, the company submitted a test report showing that TCE and PCE were not detected. This has raised concerns about the current inspection system, which relies mostly on private investigation agencies. Environmental groups pointed out, "It is not difficult for the inspection requester to obtain favorable results," and stressed, "A credible water quality inspection system must be established."
Gwangsan-gu has issued water quality improvement orders to both companies, and announced that if the groundwater is not purified to within the standard within a month, follow-up measures such as well closure will be taken. Gwangsan-gu had already confirmed through the 2023 'Hanam Industrial Complex Groundwater and Soil Pollution Investigation Service' that TCE and PCE exceeded the standard by up to 466 times and 284 times, respectively, but failed to develop a remediation plan for over two years, sparking controversy.
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