Pyeongtaek City Requests Water Quality Improvements for Pyeongtaek Lake and Other Rivers to Han River Basin Environmental Office Director

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-sun met with Han River Basin Environmental Office Director Choi Jong-won on the 14th to discuss local environmental issues for water quality improvement of the Jinwi and Anseong Streams and Pyeongtaek Lake.

Mayor Jung Jang-sun explained the difficulties in improving water quality in the Jinwi and Anseong Streams and Pyeongtaek Lake, which have deteriorated due to urban development.

Additionally, he formally requested ▲establishment of a 'Pyeongtaek Lake Water Quality Improvement Council' with participation from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 10 cities across 2 provinces in the Pyeongtaek Lake water system, experts, and local residents ▲support for installation of total phosphorus (T-P) treatment facilities in local governments within the basin to reduce total phosphorus, the primary cause of algal blooms ▲government subsidy for water quality improvement in urban rivers including Tongbok Stream.

Pyeongtaek Lake currently exceeds Grade 4, the standard for agricultural water, and has already entered the eutrophication stage.

Director Choi Jong-won said, citing examples of water quality improvement support for Hwaseong City and others, "Pyeongtaek Lake is an important lake that supplies agricultural and industrial water to the southern metropolitan region, yet I understand that local residents suffer greatly from algal blooms every year. We will actively support prompt water quality improvement at Pyeongtaek Lake."

Mayor Jung Jang-sun said, "Our city has the lowest forest and green space ratio in the nation at 18% and faces unfavorable geographic conditions, so an increasing number of citizens are concerned about the decline in quality of life due to fine dust and stream algal blooms each year. We are making environmental policy our top priority. The Jinwi and Anseong Streams and Pyeongtaek Lake have well-developed bicycle paths and excellent natural value with beautiful waterfront landscapes. I request continued interest and cooperation from central government ministries for water quality improvement in these areas."