Pyeongtaek City Holds Report Meeting on Water Quality Improvement Project for Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek City held an 'interim report meeting on the research project for water quality improvement of Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir' on the 2nd at the City Hall Disaster and Safety Control Room.

The report meeting was attended by Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon, Deputy Speaker of Pyeongtaek City Council Lee Byung-bae, city council members on the Tongbok Stream special committee including Lee Yun-ha, Kim Seung-gyeom, and Kim Dong-sook, heads of the task force, and representatives of environmental groups.

The report meeting proceeded with presentations on water quality concentrations and aquatic ecosystem habitat status of tributaries of Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir, causes of pollution, improvement plans, and future research directions.

According to the analyzed findings, Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir currently show poor water quality and ecosystem conditions. ▲Tongbok Stream grades 3-5, Baedari Reservoir grades 4-5 ▲Aquatic ecosystems including vegetation and fish received below-average grades of D-E (poor to very poor).

As improvement measures, the following were proposed as external and internal measures: ▲Direct purification of upstream water in Tongbok Stream ▲Installation of total phosphorus treatment facilities for stream maintenance water ▲Installation of initial stormwater treatment facilities on approximately 20 stormwater pipes on both left and right sides ▲Installation of pressurized flotation facilities in Baedari Reservoir and improvement of water circulation ▲Final dredging.

The need for a cautious approach was raised regarding dredging of Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir, as it could potentially damage the ecosystem. The city decided to conduct intensive analysis of sediment contamination status by depth, the degree of water quality and odor impacts caused by dredged soil during the remaining period, and determine whether dredging should be conducted.

The project representative stated, "The inflowing pollution sources into Tongbok Stream are quite complex, making water quality improvement not easy. However, to achieve the Grade 2 target that Pyeongtaek City aims for by 2022, we will propose concrete improvement measures by scenario, required budgets, and prioritized projects by March of next year."

The city plans to provide active administrative support so that the research project can be completed substantially, and will accelerate efforts to apply for government funding for project implementation by early next year when the project is finished.

Mayor Jung Jang-seon said, "Water quality improvement of Tongbok Stream is a priority project for the city, and I regard water quality grades as an indicator of Pyeongtaek City's environmental level. We will concentrate administrative efforts to achieve Grade 2 water quality by 2022."