By Kim Se-jeong



The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday it has caught 25 companies releasing wastewater polluted with hazardous chemicals into the Han River.



Most of the polluters are small and medium-sized enterprises operating factories to make textiles and metals, according to the municipality. But it refused to disclose their names.



The city government suspected the firms discharged nearly 3,000 tons of wastewater poisoned with potassium cyanide, chromium, lead, copper and phenol, all of which should be tightly regulated for its potential health risks.



The city found the illegal wastewater release after taking samples from 52 locations along the river during an inspection that began in April.



"The city received tips about their illegal activities," a city inspection officer said. "We know there are businesses which have released hazardous chemicals into the river. This year, inspection has been stricter because of a drought. If factories upstream leak chemicals, it could cause serious damage to drinking water for Seoul residents."



The Han River is a major source of drinking water in Seoul and its surrounding areas.



The inspector said the level of potassium cyanide found in water was 765 times higher than the permitted amount. The amount of chromium was 10 times more than the allowable limit. The level of lead, copper and phenol showed 4,098 times, 628 times and 222 times, respectively, higher than the regulated cap.



All the factories are required to install wastewater treatment facilities and to let the authorities know the list of hazardous chemicals to be released. But, many factories clandestinely discharged them into sewage without the proper treatment. One company even had a hidden pipe through which untreated wastewater flowed into the river.



Such treatment facilities come under mandatory inspection by the local government.



The city said one factory could be subject to a fine of 70 million won, while others may face criminal charges. When found guilty, owners may be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison.



Nevertheless, the inspector pointed out the violation of environmental regulations is common, particularly among small companies which cannot install the required wastewater treatment facilities due to financial hardship.



The city usually conducts an annual inspection on those companies, apart from special probes anytime when there are allegations about an illegal release.



