▲ A discolored shower filter
The main cause of discolored tap water filters and earthy odors reported in regional water supply areas, including Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, has been identified as the inflow of manganese triggered by recent droughts.
According to Jeonju City on November 4, complaints regarding discolored water filters and odors have been filed continuously across areas using the regional water supply, starting from Eco City in Deokjin-gu and spreading throughout Jeonju, as well as nearby regions such as Wanju, Jinan, and Iksan.
Korea Water Resources Corporation and Jeonju City pointed to the influx of manganese from the water source as the cause of the incident.
They explained that as the prolonged drought caused the water storage rate of Yongdam Dam to drop from the mid-40% range in the summer to the 39% range, combined with autumn turnover phenomena due to falling temperatures, manganese components in the lower layers flowed in large quantities through water intake points lowered during the water circulation process.
The manganese concentration in the purified water was 0.01 ppm, which remained within the legal standard of 0.05 ppm or less; however, it reacted with residual chlorine, causing the coloring of shower filters and unpleasant odors.
In response to the manganese inflow, Jeonju City has requested the Gosan Water Purification Plant to inject additional medium chlorine to lower the manganese concentration in the raw water, while simultaneously conducting reservoir drainage discharge operations and flushing the terminal pipelines of water supply pipes.
In addition, the city has significantly strengthened monitoring, such as commissioning a detailed water quality test to the Water Environment Research Institute at Jeonbuk National University.
A city official stated, "Although the manganese concentration is within the legal limit and thus harmless to the human body, the manganese components reacted with residual chlorine to cause visible discoloration and odors. We will mobilize all available administrative power to resolve the cause of the manganese inflow and do our utmost to supply safe tap water."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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