Seoul has decided not to require a feasibility study for the modernization of the (도두) Dodu sewage treatment plant. That means the project can be finished as much as a year ahead of schedule. Mike Laidman reports.

Seoul has released the list of local projects that will be exempted from preliminary feasibility studies.

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Sewage treatment plant among 23 projects exempted from studies

The modernization of the sewage treatment plant in (도두동) Dodu-dong is included in the list, alongside 22 other projects.

The national government says it made its choices based on balanced development nationwide.

Recording
Hong Nam-ki / Minister of Economy and Finance
We selected the projects based on environmental factors, medical services, transport infrastructure, and the everyday lives of residents.
<씽크:홍남기/기획재정부 장관>
"환경, 의료, 생활 교통시설 등 지역 주민의 삶의 질 제고라고 하는 네 가지 영역에서 마련됐습니다."

The preliminary feasibility study was designed to examine the economic feasibility of a public project that costs over 50 billion won and requires over 30 billion won of national funding.

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Studies mandatory for projects using \30b+ in national funding

The sewage treatment plant modernization project, which is set to cost around 400 billion won, was originally scheduled to be examined from an economic perspective for six months beginning in January of this year.

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Work will be done ahead of schedule

Design work for the plant was originally expected to begin in June of 2020.

But Seoul’s decision to exempt the project from a preliminary feasibility study means the updated sewage treatment plant will be available to islanders much earlier.

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Construction could be complete by 2024

If construction goes ahead using a series of turnkey contracts, the building could be finished in 2024, which would be a year ahead of schedule.

The residents of (도두) Dodu who have now suffered from bad odours for quite some time have welcomed the decision.

Recording
Kim Dae-chul / Sewage treatment plant modernization comm.
The long-delayed modernization of the sewage treatment plant has tormented area residents. Everyone welcomes the decision to exempt it from the preliminary feasibility study.
<씽크:김대출/제주하수처리시설 현대화 추진위원>
"(현대화사업 지연이) 주민이나 도민의 가장 큰 아픔이었다고 생각하는데 이번에 예비타당성을 면제 받으면서 사업을 추진하게 돼서 주민과 도민들이 모두 환영할 일이 아닌가 생각합니다."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

The feasibility study was the biggest obstacle standing in the way of the quick work sorely needed on the sewage facility, and now with this exemption, the modernization project can move ahead, bringing residents what they need in the area.

Mike Laidman, KCTV