Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province, officially requested on August 5 that the city of Yongin suspend its recently notified "test run and raw water discharge plan for the industrial water supply facilities of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster."

On July 30, Yongin notified Anseong that it plans to conduct a five-hour test run of the industrial water supply facilities for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on August 14, discharging a total of 58,080 cubic meters of raw water in the process.

Yongin previously discharged raw water four times in June.

The raw water discharged from the Wonsam-myeon area in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, will flow into Gosam Reservoir in Anseong and Hancheon, a local stream, depending on the water system.

Anseong stated, "Although the raw water being discharged this time is not treated wastewater used for industrial purposes, the Hancheon maintenance project to prepare for the inflow of discharged water has not yet been completed, meaning the raw water could overflow in some sections if released."

The city also explained that it is not an appropriate time for discharge because consultations among relevant agencies and concrete measures regarding residents' concerns—such as securing the safety of Gosam Reservoir and Hancheon, preventing water quality and agricultural damage, and establishing a response system in the event of damage—have not yet been finalized.

Anseong signed a "Win-Win Cooperation Agreement for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster" in January 2021 with Gyeonggi Province, Yongin City, SK hynix, and Yongin General Industrial Complex, and has been discussing measures regarding industrial wastewater issues.

Anseong city official said, "Anseong is not opposed to the project itself, but maintains the principle that the project should be promoted only after safety measures that give citizens peace of mind and sufficient consensus are established," adding, "We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to do our best to come up with reasonable solutions that allow citizens and the region to move forward together."

(Photo courtesy of Anseong City Hall, Yonhap News)