Hamyang-gun calls for fundamental measures to prevent recurrence of sewage inflow in Namwon-si

(Hamyang = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Jeong-heon = As sewage from the sewage treatment facility upstream of Namwon, Jeollabuk-do flowed into the Hamyang River in Gyeongsangnam-do, Hamyang-gun urged Namwon City to prepare fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.

According to the military on the 21st, it was confirmed that sewage from the Daejeong public sewage treatment facility in Sannae-myeon, Namwon, recently flowed downstream into the Hamyang and Imcheon watersheds.

Imcheon is a stream flowing from valley water at the foot of Jiri Mountain, and is a key agricultural water source for Hamyang residents and a major ecological and tourism resource.

Geographically, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do is upstream, and Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, is downstream, so water quality accidents in the Namwon area are directly linked to damage to Hamyang residents' drinking water, farmland, and ecosystem.

This incident is a recurrence of the water pollution problem following the sewage leak that occurred at the Inwol Intermediate Pumping Station in Namwon City last February, raising opposition from residents in the downstream area.

Accordingly, the military sent an official letter to Namwon City, requesting a thorough investigation into the operation of the Daejeong public sewage treatment facility and the cause of sewage inflow.

In addition, it was requested to completely reexamine the seasonal sewage inflow, expand the capacity of sewage treatment facilities, and fundamentally improve the operating system.

In addition, it was also officially proposed to establish a joint management system, including the establishment of a 'permanent upstream and downstream water quality monitoring system' in which both local governments participate, and real-time information sharing to prevent water quality accidents beyond administrative districts from recurring.

A military official said, “The water that originates from Mt. Jiri is the lifeline that supports the lives and agriculture of Hamyang residents,” and added, “We will ensure that downstream residents do not suffer damage due to poor management upstream.”