Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment to Test 28 Types of Unregulated Trace Contaminants in Water Treatment Plants

Gyeonggi Province will carry out inspections for trace contaminants at water treatment plants in the province.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 24th that, in response to climate change and changes in industrial and living environments, it will conduct tests for unregulated trace contaminants at water treatment plants in the province.

Unregulated trace contaminants are pollutants that exist at extremely low concentrations for which no separate regulatory standards have yet been established in laws or systems. They have recently become subjects of investigation to ensure the safety of drinking water and rivers.

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment is testing unregulated trace pollutants at a water purification plant. Provided by Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

This round of testing by the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment will cover a total of 28 types of trace contaminants, including 16 types of pharmaceuticals, 5 types of perfluorinated compounds, 5 types of volatile organic compounds, and 2 types of algal toxins.

Choi Pilkwon, Head of the Water Environment Research Department at the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, explained the background of the initiative, saying, "Currently, each water treatment plant in the province is operated individually by municipal water utilities, so there are limits to monitoring and responding to trace contaminants that do not fall under statutory standards," and added, "Through this province-level survey, which expands the scope of management to include new contaminants not yet covered by statutory water quality standards, we plan to strengthen the safety of tap water."