The government has initiated special inspections of stockpiled livestock manure, identified as a major contributor to summer algal blooms. This effort is part of the newly implemented "Algal Bloom Seasonal Management System," which aims to expand monitoring periods and utilize drones and pollution monitoring systems to prevent these blooms before they occur.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on May 17 that it will conduct special inspections of stockpiled livestock manure along major river systems, including the Han, Nakdong, and Geum rivers, until mid-June.
These inspections are prompted by concerns that nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from manure could wash into rivers during heavy summer rains, leading to algal blooms. The government is expanding its pollution source management scope as part of the new seasonal management system.
Environmental authorities have noted that recent extreme weather has led to an increase in localized heavy rainfall, resulting in repeated instances of pollutants entering rivers. Last year, the number of days with algal bloom alerts reached a record 961 days nationwide.
In response, the Ministry has extended the manure management period from March to September to now include February through November. This adjustment considers the characteristics of regions with double-cropping farms, with special inspections continuing in September and October.
The inspections will focus on 1,497 stockpiled manure sites identified since February, including 405 on public land and 1,092 on private property, as well as additional checks on manure left near livestock farms and agricultural lands. Joint inspection teams from the Ministry, local environmental agencies, and municipalities will oversee the field management.
The government plans to encourage the removal of manure piled on public land by locating its owners and will install covers to prevent rainwater from entering newly discovered manure piles. For private property, the government will provide covers and guidance on proper management practices.
Drones and the "Integrated Monitoring System for Watershed Pollution Sources" will be utilized in these inspections. This system, developed by the Korea Water Resources Corporation in 2024, allows for tracking the location of manure and the status of management actions. The government aims to minimize oversight in hard-to-reach areas or extensive river sections by employing drones.
Kim Eun-kyung, Director of Water Environment Policy at the Ministry, stated, "Given the trend of algal blooms in summer, we must closely manage manure stockpiled near rivers. Through this special inspection using the integrated monitoring system and drones, we will do our utmost to cover or remove all stockpiled manure before the flood season begins on June 21."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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