Resource information
The purpose of this Act is to prevent potential danger and injury to public health and the environment due to the pollution of water and to properly manage and preserve the quality of public waters, i.e. rivers, lakes, marshes, harbors, ports, coastal areas and other waters used for public purposes, and to their contiguous waterways used for public purposes and prescribed by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment. The Minister of Environment and specified local authorities shall establish measuring networks and measure the degree of water pollution nationwide on a regular basis throughout the country according to a method established by the Ministry (arts. 3 to 6). Chapter 2 regulates the discharge of wastewater. Permissible Discharge Standards shall be prescribed by the Ministry pursuant to section 8. Permissions for discharge shall be obtained and facilities that discharge waste water shall be operated in accordance with provisions of this Chapter. The Ministry may issue an Improvement Order requiring a polluter to reduce pollution (art. 16) or an order for the suspension of operations (art. 17). Charges shall be levied on discharge in accordance with article 19. Chapter 3 concerns wastewater terminal treatment facilities. Chapter 4 makes provision with respect to the preservation of water quality of public waters, whereas Chapter 5 concerns water quality of lakes and marshes. The Minister of Environment may designate any lake and any marsh as lakes or marshes to be specially managed for the conservation of water quality thereof. Chapter 7 prescribes some measures to prevent or reduce soil and water pollution such as the use of agricultural chemicals. Chapter 8 contains general provisions and Chapter 9 prescribes offences and penalties.
Implemented by: Enforcement Decree of the Water Quality Conservation Act. (2004-10-08)
