| Title |
Effects of the Voluntary Scheme of Total Maximum Daily Load based on Water Quality and Annual Evaluation data in the Gyeongan Watershed, South Korea |
| Authors |
이범연 ( Lee Bum-Yeon ) ; 이창희 ( Lee Chang-hee ) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.15681/KSWE.2021.37.4.263 |
| Keywords |
Gyeongan stream; Total maximum daily load; Voluntary approach; Water quality assessment; Watershed management |
| Abstract |
This study presents the achievements and limitations of the voluntary-based Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) through statistical analysis of water quality monitoring data and performance assessments of TMDL plans implemented in the Gyeongan watershed. The results clearly showed that responsible local governments complied the allocated TMDL and the designated water quality goals were successfully achieved in the required period. This was possible because the Ministry of Environment provided innovative incentives, such as, relaxations of the existing tight land-use regulations and full-scale financial aids for constructing and operating public treatment facilities to draw local government voluntary participation. However, a couple of problems which decreased the effectiveness and efficiency of the voluntary TMDL were identified. The different TMDL implementation schedules between upstream (Yongin) and downstream (Gwangju) governments caused delay in water quality improvement and exaggerated TMDL allocation to the local development which made excessive investment in the treatment facilities. Although it is not directly related to the voluntary scheme, technical methods for establishing and assessing the water quality goals should be improved so that the effects of flow conditions on water quality are properly assessed. We expect that results of this case study contribute to developing a more effective voluntary-based scheme for the implementation of the so-called ‘tributary TMDL’ in the future. |