Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police to Intensively Investigate Illegal Wastewater Discharge Facilities in Knowledge Industry Centers

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police will intensively investigate unlicensed and unreported wastewater discharge facilities operating within knowledge industry centers—commonly called "apartment-type factories"—throughout the province and illegal dumping of wastewater from October 5 to 22.

Knowledge industry centers are multi-story collective buildings with three or more floors capable of housing six or more factories in industries such as manufacturing. Due to their low external exposure, there have been concerns about insufficient guidance, inspection, and management regarding environmental violations.

Moreover, cases have emerged of businesses either failing to report wastewater discharge facilities or illegally dumping wastewater into sewer lines without prevention facilities to cut wastewater treatment costs. This prompted the province to organize this investigation.

The investigation targets approximately 40 locations, including suspected unlicensed and unreported wastewater discharge facilities and workplaces with multiple environmental complaints in Anyang, Seongnam, Bucheon, and Gunpo cities—areas where knowledge industry centers are concentrated.

Key investigation focuses include ▲installation and operation of unlicensed and unreported wastewater discharge facilities ▲illegal dumping of wastewater into public water bodies ▲appropriateness of wastewater treatment ▲whether pollution prevention facilities are operating.

According to the "Water Environment Conservation Act," operating without wastewater discharge facility permits carries up to seven years imprisonment or fines up to 70 million won; improper operation of wastewater discharge facilities and prevention facilities carries up to five years imprisonment or fines up to 50 million won; and discharging or dumping specific water hazardous substances into public water bodies carries up to three years imprisonment or fines up to 30 million won.

The Special Judicial Police unit plans to analyze wastewater from unlicensed and unreported discharge operations to confirm discharge of water pollutants and specific water hazardous substances. Based on analysis results, violating companies will be referred to prosecutors, and the province will notify relevant agencies to impose administrative penalties including closure orders, suspension of use, and excess discharge surcharges for follow-up measures.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police unit, stated, "We will take stern action in accordance with the law against illegal wastewater treatment conducted to evade enforcement attention," and added, "We will particularly conduct special investigations into crimes involving covert wastewater discharge."

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police unit accepts public reports of illegal activities through its website (www.gg.go.kr/gg_special_cop) or the Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031-120).