The Incheon Institute of Public Health and Environment is significantly strengthening spring water quality management to preemptively respond to waterborne infectious diseases in summer. The measure reflects the characteristics of the summer season, when microbial growth becomes active.
The institute said Tuesday it will conduct seasonal customized testing at 30 spring water sites across Incheon's seven districts and counties. The approach focuses on high-risk pathogenic bacteria by period: Yersinia in spring and autumn (April and October), and Salmonella and Shigella in summer (July).
The number of tests has also been expanded to 12 times a year, exceeding the eight times per year set by the Drinking Water Management Act. The aim is to conduct detailed inspections at least once a month, as the possibility of contamination increases with rainwater inflow during the monsoon season.
The need for management is confirmed in the figures. In the first half of this year, 9 of 172 tests (5.2%) fell short of water quality standards. Most were cases exceeding total coliform limits, in which case drinking at the affected spring water site is immediately halted.
Users should drink only water that has received an "approved" rating after checking the test results updated monthly on on-site guide signs or the institute's environmental information disclosure system. It is advisable to keep personal containers clean and to refrain from use right after rainfall.
"Through preemptive management reflecting seasonal contamination characteristics and continuous monitoring, we will ensure that citizens can use spring water sites with peace of mind," Institute Director Kim Myung-hee said.
