Cities100: Changwon - Improving Water Quality and Biodiversity

Changwon’s integrated water management plan enhances drinking water quality, improves irrigation management, and restores aquatic biodiversity.

The Challenge

As an industrial city, Changwon’s water supply has been polluted by its many factories over the years. The action taken by the city to clean up its water sources not only reverses the damage done, but also prepares Changwon for expected increased frequency of droughts in coming years by improving quality and efficiency in water management.

The Solution

In an effort to revitalize the city’s local water supply, the South Korean City of Changwon launched a three-phase master plan to better manage water drainage, improve drinking water quality, and boost biodiversity in the region’s aquatic environments. The city is taking an integrated approach to solving these local water challenges, targeting thorough water quality management, controlling pollution caused by runoff, restoring streams, and capping ocean pollutants. So far, the city has revitalized 10% of its 535 km of streams. This includes reducing organic pollutant levels from 2.5 ppm in 2010 to 1.8 ppm in 2013. Similarly, the region’s water ecosystems experienced a growth in aquatic plant species, from 33 species in 2010 to 70 in 2014.

The project is carried out in collaboration with private stakeholders, including citizens and academia, to promote participation and to reflect public opinion. Changwon hopes to expand on its already successful water management plan by applying it to more rivers and streams in coming years.

Environmental Benefits – Changwon expects that, when complete, the rehabilitation of these aquatic ecosystems will lead to a rise in the number of animal species in the region.

Economic Benefits – A primary goal of this project is to improve drinking water quality, which will help improve the overall health of the city’s residents.

About Cities100

Presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – Cities100 showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in ten sectors, ranging from solid waste management to transportation.

Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments.  You can access the full Cities100 2015 publication online here.