The Ministry of Environment announced on the 27th that it has prepared and will implement a plan for '重点管理相关措施 de algas verdes durante el verano'.
According to the Ministry of Environment, this summer (June to August) is expected to have higher temperatures than usual, and rainfall next month is also predicted to be above average. Considering this, the Ministry has established 10 key tasks across three areas: ▲ intensive management of major pollution sources ▲ strengthening algae removal ▲ enhancing monitoring and developing mid- to long-term plans.
The Ministry of Environment will take proactive measures against algae. First, to remove land pollutants, it will expand and upgrade facilities for non-point source reduction, such as constructed wetlands, and strengthen management of stockpiled compost. In particular, compost that is left unattended or improperly managed along riverbanks or levees can flow into rivers during rainfall, causing water pollution and algae. The Ministry has assessed the situation of major watersheds nationwide last year and this year, considering that it is difficult to confirm the ownership of stockpiled compost, complicating management. The Ministry plans to manage 1,500 stockpiled compost piles through collection, transfer, and capping, along with educational and promotional efforts for proper management.
The Ministry of Environment also plans to expand facilities for producing solid fuel and biogas to diversify the processing of livestock manure, and it will revise related laws and regulations. Additionally, to reduce personal sewage generated in areas without wastewater treatment, it intends to promote a pilot project for installing community sewage storage facilities and plans to carry out public management of septic tanks for residents in upstream areas who have difficulties with self-collection.
The Ministry of Environment plans to designate and strengthen management of areas around the Imha and Namgang dams, where spring forest fires occurred. Silt and debris from forest fires have been blocked by installing 52 turbidity barriers at key river points, including downstream of the Imha Dam. The Ministry will expand algae removal facilities, including the deployment of seven new algae removal boats and the installation of aquatic removal fields, focusing on areas with high algae occurrence.
At the same time, by strengthening water circulation, the Ministry plans to promote various pilot projects that either remove algae or directly decompose algae cells, while also analyzing their effectiveness. Furthermore, it will remove algae through coordinated operations of dams, weirs, and sluices. In the case of the Nakdong River, a pilot project will be conducted to advance discharge times using a schedule, reinforcing algae response in the Nakdong River basin.
The Ministry will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the preparedness for algae response at drinking water supply and purification facilities, while enhancing standards and advanced water treatment to ensure there are no concerns about drinking water due to algae.
Finally, the Ministry will strengthen monitoring and establish management plans for major pollution sources. Before the onset of the algae bloom season, it will form an algae response task force and conduct joint simulated training with relevant agencies to check response and coordination systems by institution.
As concerns about algal toxins in the air grow, the Ministry plans to conduct objective and transparent investigations. Since April, the areas around the Imha and Namgang dams, where spring forest fires occurred, have already strengthened water quality monitoring and will promptly notify relevant agencies if abnormal signs are detected.
The Ministry of Environment will also establish the 'Fourth Comprehensive Countermeasure Plan for Non-Point Source Pollution (2026-2030)' by the end of this year and plans to lay the legal groundwork for developing a national comprehensive plan for livestock manure in the future.
Cho Hee-song, director of water environment policy at the Ministry of Environment, noted, 'It is a continuous environment that makes algae management difficult due to natural disasters such as climate change and forest fires,' adding, 'We will thoroughly prevent and respond to algae occurrences to create an environment where citizens can live with peace of mind.'