Bucheon City operates an ecosystem restoration task force related to fish deaths due to leakage of coagulant from the Kkachiul Water Purification Plant

Bucheon City, Gyeonggi-do, announced on the 28th that it is forming and operating a task force (TF) dedicated to restoring the ecosystem of the Bucheon Natural Ecological Park pond and Bernese Stream in relation to the mass death of fish, which is believed to have occurred due to a leak of coagulant from the Magpieul Water Purification Plant.

Bucheon City believes that a crack occurred in the water purification plant transfer pipe and the leaked coagulant flowed into the Bucheon Natural Ecological Park pond and Bernese Stream through a rainwater conduit, causing fish deaths.

Coagulants are water purification chemicals that precipitate and remove suspended solids in the water during the tap water production process. Although they are not harmful substances, they can affect fish when they leak into rivers.

Previously, on the 6th to 7th, 30 dead small fish, including minnows, were discovered in the Bernese Stream in Dongjak, Ojeong-gu.

After on-site consultation with environmental and ecological experts and water purification facilities, the city formed a task force and completed blocking measures to prevent water mixed with coagulants from flowing into the Bernese Stream.

At the time of reporting the death, the Bernetian hydrogen ion concentration (pH) had dropped to around 5.0, but has now recovered to the normal range (6.0-8.5) to 7.0.

As a result of the water quality test, no heavy metals were detected, but the coagulant component appeared to have an effect on the ecotoxicity items.

The city plans to conduct a technical diagnosis of old water purification facilities and establish a monitoring system that can constantly check for leaks of chemicals such as drugs.

Lee Dong-hoon, director of Bucheon City's Water Resources Bureau, said, "This accident is separate from the supply of tap water, and you can use tap water with confidence as usual. We will do our best to supply safe tap water and manage the river ecosystem by improving old water purification facilities and strengthening the management system."