Daegu Water Intake Relocation: Gumi Haepyeong → Andong Dam → Riverbank Filtration... Daegu Safety Coalition Urges End to Repeated Policy Experiments

The Daegu Citizens' Coalition for Safety (Daegu Safety Coalition) held a press briefing at the Daegu City Hall press room on the 15th, following an announcement by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment regarding the diversification of Daegu's water intake sources from the Nakdong River, stating that the project would proceed using riverbank filtration and underflow water methods. The coalition also released an official statement on the matter.

In the statement released on the 19th, the Daegu Safety Coalition emphasized, "The issue of relocating Daegu's water intake source has been the region's most pressing concern for decades, yet every change of administration has brought nothing but loud slogans, without a single step toward a real solution. The repeated policy shifts from the Gumi Haepyeong intake source to the Andong Dam, and now back to considering riverbank filtration and underflow water, are a clear example of the complete collapse of consistency and trust in national water policy."

Maegok Water Purification Plant

The coalition continued, "Riverbank filtration and underflow water intake methods were already excluded during the previous review of the Gumi Haepyeong intake source due to concerns about water quality stability, limitations in blocking pollution sources, and uncertainty in maintenance and management. Nevertheless, bringing up the same methods again as so-called 'alternatives' is not a new review, but merely a stalling tactic to avoid admitting policy failure."

The Daegu Safety Coalition further pointed out, "The Nakdong River basin already faces structural pollution risks from upstream industrial complexes, densely concentrated livestock areas, and algal bloom issues. Riverbank filtration and underflow water methods cannot fundamentally resolve these structural problems; rather, they may shift invisible contamination risks to the water purification process, making it a high-risk choice. This is an experiment with the safety of citizens' drinking water and merely an administrative convenience to avoid political responsibility."

The coalition criticized, "The issue of Daegu's water intake source can no longer be brushed aside with phrases like 'under review,' 're-discussion,' or 'seeking alternatives.' Despite multiple verifications and rounds of public debate, postponing a decision is a clear abdication of responsibility by the central government and related agencies. Reversing direction with every change of administration and reviving previously excluded options is an irresponsible act that treats Daegu citizens as subjects of policy experiments."

The Daegu Safety Coalition urged, "Immediately halt the reconsideration of riverbank filtration and underflow water methods as alternatives for water intake sources, as these methods have already been excluded." The coalition demanded that the government present clear principles and a consistent roadmap for the Daegu water intake issue, refrain from handling the vital matter of drinking water with political logic and expedient solutions, and establish a fundamental and sustainable plan for water intake sources that Daegu citizens can trust.

Munsan Water Purification Plant

The coalition stated, "The issue of Daegu's water intake source must no longer become a routine slogan with every change of administration. What is needed now is not new rhetoric, but responsible decisions and action. The central government and Daegu City must stop avoiding responsibility and present a clear timeline and implementation plan to the public." The coalition added, "Daegu citizens can no longer afford to wait. Politics that experiment with or postpone water issues cannot be tolerated, and securing a clean and safe water intake source must be the top priority."