Government officials on Monday announced plans to spend nearly 235 billion won to set up total phosphorus treatment facilities at four sewage treatment centers in the city by next year. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government is stepping up efforts to reduce phosphorus levels in the Han River in a bid to improve water quality.
Government officials on Monday announced plans to spend nearly 235 billion won to set up total phosphorus treatment facilities at four sewage treatment centers in the city by next year.
Total phosphorus refers to the level of phosphorus contained in the water, which can indicate the severity of eutrophication in rivers.
In response to high phosphorus levels, which can cause green tides and the death of underwater creatures, total phosphorus treatment facilities will be put in place in an attempt to reduce the level of phosphorus in Han River waters.
“With the processing facilities in operation, the total phosphorus levels could drop from 0.3 and 1.2 milligrams per liter to an average of 0.2 milligrams per liter. We project the phosphorus levels in the main stream of the Han River will also go down from between 0.15 and 0.35 milligrams per liter to 0.1 milligrams per liter,” the Seoul government said.
Seoul government officials are hopeful the new move will not only improve water quality in the Han River but also protect the ecosystem and help safely manage and process wastewater.
“When the construction of the total phosphorus treatment systems is completed at the four water treatment centers, we believe it will improve the water quality of the Han River and satisfy residents,” a city official said.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
