The provincial government says it wants to preserve island groundwater by further restricting drilling. Its proposal to do so has been collecting dust at the provincial council since the beginning of the year. Joseph Kim has the details.




Report

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Daily capacity for water drilling is 1,768,000 tons in total.

drilling of 1,577,000 tons or 89 percent of capacity is already permitted. Only a little more than 10 percent is reserved.
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The island is more concerned about water contamination from waste water released by livestock farms.

The province is trying to expand water drilling restricted zones to minimize groundwater drilling and ensure safe drinking water free from pollution.

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Four coastal areas have already been designated as water drilling restricted zones.

The province’s plan is to include an additional 450 square kilometers of mid-mountain regions at around 300 meters above sea level in the restricted zones.
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Province wants to restrict commercial water drilling

That means the province does not allow commercial water drilling on mid-mountain regions. Meanwhile, water drilling for public use would not be affected.

Recording
Provincial representative
Drilling will only be permitted for public use to provide water to development projects in mid-mountain regions.
<녹취:제주도관계자>
"중산간 지역에 개발행위가 이뤄지면 당연히 물이 필요하기 때문에 무분별한 사설관정을 제한하기 위해서 공공급수를 원칙으로..."

The province submitted a bill that expands water drilling restricted areas to cover the mid-mountain regions to the provincial council at the end of January.

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No action at provincial council since January

However, the bill hasn’t been brought to the table for discussion for more than 8 months.

The provincial council says that it’s too early to discuss the bill because many commercial development projects are being reviewed.

Recording
Provincial council representative
Restriction is not always right. Somewhat relaxed rules are needed for developers. The province also ignores loopholes in tighter regulations.
<녹취:도의회 관계자>
"규제만이 능사가 아니고 어느정도 숨통을 주고 해야되는데 한쪽에서만 목을 조여버리게 되면 그런 맹점들은 몰라버리니까 저희들도 답답합니다."

Meanwhile, the council announced that it will discuss the bill this or next month.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

However, critics say that the provincial council is not willing to preserve water resources as it has delayed the bill over the last 8 months even though the island is more aware of a possible groundwater crisis.

Joseph Kim, KCTV