Water Quality Monitoring

Quality evaluations of river water are continuously conducted by a nationwide monitoring network. The data is collected and used for the formation of future policies for water quality control and water quality conservation.

For more efficient inspection, monitoring spots are classified according to use: river water, lake water, drinking water, irrigation water, industrial water, and river water flowing through cities. The number of spots monitored was increased from 1,348 in 1993 to 1,476 in 2008. The frequency of measurement if once a month for lakes, and four times a month at 20 key locations along the four largest rivers.

In accordance with Article 5 of the Tap Water Act, Regulations on the Management of Water Supply Sources were enacted by Prime Ministerial Decree, which stipulates that waterwork service providers (local government and Korea Water Resources Corporation) be obligated to measure water quality of water supply sources and purification plants.

Operation of Water Quality Monitoring Network (2008)

Automatic Water Quality Bio-Monitoring Network

A pilot system was established at the research center near Paldang Lake in order to initiate on-line automatic and continuous monitoring Experiments are also being carried out on Fish and insects in an effort to develop new species and accumulate data. The characteristics of fish and insect grown under different conditions are being studied as they pass through different phases of the life cycle, thereby providing clues as to how different types of pollution affect them. On-line automatic water Bio-monitoring device installed at 40 locations along the 4 Major River from 1995 to 2007, and about 26 sites will be installed nationwide by the end of 2008.