Harmful cyanobacteria exceed 10,000 for 2 consecutive weeks... Changwon City says "boil tap water before drinking"
Changwon Bonpo water intake showing green color from algal bloom
[Yonhapnews archival photo]
The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 22nd at 6 p.m. that it upgraded the algal bloom alert for the Chilseo point of the Nakdong River and the Mulgeum·Maeri point from the 'attention' level to the 'caution' level.
This is 2 weeks after the first algal bloom alert at the attention level was issued at both points on the 8th.
The algal bloom alert is issued when the number of harmful cyanobacteria cells that cause green algae is 1,000 or more per ㎖ for 2 consecutive weeks at the 'attention' level, 10,000 or more at the 'caution' level, and 1,000,000 or more at the 'outbreak' level.
The Chilseo point between Haman and Changyeong in Gyeongnam measured 18,956 per ㎖ on the 15th, followed by 18,836 on this day, exceeding the caution threshold for 2 consecutive weeks.
The Mulgeum·Maeri point between Gimhae and Yangsan also decreased from 21,868 per ㎖ on the 15th to 13,288 on this day, but still maintained 10,000 or more, which is the caution threshold.
While rain fell over the past weekend, as of this day, the water temperature at the Chilseo point was 25.8 degrees and at the Mulgeum·Maeri point was 25.5 degrees, showing levels higher or similar to last week.
Green algae are typically diluted when rain occurs, but are known to proliferate more easily as water temperature rises.
The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office notified relevant agencies of the upgraded algal bloom alert and requested responses including enhanced water purification and pollution source inspections.
Changwon City previously recommended on the 18th that residents boil tap water for the time being as odor-causing substances increased in the raw water intake at the Chilseo point of the Nakdong River.
Lee Hyung-seop, director of the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, said, "I urge you to refrain from water activities and shellfish harvesting, and will do my best to supply safe drinking water through close cooperation with relevant agencies."
ymp@yna.co.kr
