Contamination of groundwater is a big concern to islanders.
Results of recent research show that quality of groundwater near local pig farms is seriously polluted.
What's more serious is a lack of regular monitoring of water quality.
Todd Thacker reports.

[slug] Local pig farm owners apologized for contamination 2 years ago
Two years ago, local pig farm owners held a press conference to apologize for their illegal discharge of pig waste. The contamination was first discovered in one of the island's lava tubes.

[slug] Pig farms promised not to repeat improper waste discharge
At the time, they promised to invest in modern organic waste treatment facilities and strictly monitor their waste disposal practices.
However, there have been few changes since the initial incident.

[slug] 197 offences identified in last 2 years
Some 197 offences have been identified and disciplinary measures have been administered in the past two years.

[slug] Concerns growing about water contamination
These improper management practices and contaminated groundwater have damaged the island's reputation of having a clean environment.
In recent months, health authorities have made surveys of the island’s groundwater quality.
The results are disconcerting.
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Groundwater at wells near pig farms or liquefied manure-applied farmland was examined.
More than half of all wells that were tested had nitrogen isotope levels exceeding permitted levels.
This means that a substantial amount of groundwater has animal feces present in it.
A shocking 90 percent of wells in Hallim were found to be contaminated.

[slug] Contaminated groundwater also found in eastern Jeju
Results show that not only groundwater wells in the west, but also those in the east, are contaminated.

[slug] Heightened concerns about groundwater mean more surveys are needed
Concerns about groundwater quality are rising, but water quality surveys are not made frequently enough to reassure the public.

[slug] Province to commission groundwater quality map
The province is planning to survey all of the island’s wells. It will put together a comprehensive groundwater quality map, one which can show the level of contamination by region.

[slug] Only 5% groundwater wells surveyed
Currently, only about 300 wells have been surveyed among 4,800 in Jeju. That only comes to about 5 percent.

In fact, the majority of researchers at the Jeju Health and Environment Research Institute could only devote their time to surveying wells in the western part of the island at Hallim.

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon
With a long list of infractions by local farmers and an insufficient number of experts to oversee Jeju’s groundwater supply, a great deal of work will be required to restore not only the aquifer, but also public trust.
Todd Thacker, KCTV