The Ministry of Environment sets more stringent standards for the quality of discharged water in wastewater treatment facilities in agricultural and industrial complexes. Also, it announced the legislation of the amended Water Quality Conservation Act, as of Oct. 28.

The main items in the amended form of Water Quality Conservation Act, noticed in advance, are as follows:

For the enterpriser's convenience, post reporting is possible instead of pre reporting in the case of the lease or change of the ownership of the discharge facilities or preventive facilities.

For improvement of the water quality in the four main rivers and to prevent eutrophication of public watersheds, the standards for the quality of discharged water (BOD, COD, T-N, T-P) in wastewater treatment facilities is intensified up to that of the standard of the sewerage treatments. Also, starting in 2008, a clause on colon bacillus will newly be added, and to provide preparation time for those who are concerned, it will be applied in two phases ( first in 2008, and second in 2013)

To prevent contamination of water quality due to the use of fatal and highly toxic pesticides in the golf courses, the government will control all the golf courses, regardless of the size. The courses inside the army bases and non profit organizations will also be included.

The Ministry of Environment will have a 20 days of notice and have a regulation reform committee and the review of the Legislative Office before the final enforcement.

The full text of the newly amended Water Quality Conservation Act can be viewed at the Ministry of Environment webpage(www.me.go.kr), under Laws and Ordinances. Also, anyone can voice their suggestion on each item of the law by writing their names and addresses.