(1) Reasons for Proposal
As the Water Environment Conservation Act has been amended (Act No. 15832, revised on Oct. 16, 2018, to be enacted on Oct. 17, 2019) for the efficient and effective conservation of water environment, including the introduction of electronic transfer and takeover system for electronically managing the transfer and takeover process of wastewater for entrusted treatment and performance tests for a facility reducing non-point source pollution to improve the reliability of facilities reducing non-point source pollution, the amendment aims to specify matters delegated by the Act and matters necessary for its implementation, such as matters concerning business entities that outsource their wastewater treatments and wastewater treatment business entities shall input into the electronic transfer and takeover management system and the criteria for imposing penalties.
In addition, the amendment intends to complement the existing Act by establishing an examination period for the current status of aquatic ecosystems in lakes and marshes, and providing grounds for the operation project of public wastewater treatment facilities, etc.

(2) Major Provisions
A. Establish an examination period for the current status of aquatic ecosystems in lakes and marshes (Article 30. (4))

Require the Minister of Environment or Mayor/Do Governor to examine, measure, and analyze the current status of aquatic ecosystems every three years such as the biodiversity and ecosystem of the target lake and marsh which he/she shall measure and examine
B. A person, agency contract, etc., that may operate the project of public wastewater treatment facility (Article 60)

The amendment clarifies the person who may operate a public wastewater treatment facility in accordance with other Acts as a public sewerage management agent under the Sewerage Act, requires entering into an agency contract when outsourcing the operation project, and mandates the Minister of Environment to notify the details of selection criteria and selection procedures related to agency contracts.
C. Imposition and collection procedures of charges for installation of public wastewater treatment facilities and user fees (Article 65)

Allow that the collection may be postponed or divided if the charge for installation and user fees cannot be paid on the due date, that the grace period shall not be included in the period for the additional charge, and that a complaint shall be filed by the due date if there is any objection to the charge for installation or user fees
D. Details input into the electronic transfer and takeover management system (Article 79-3)

Require entering the details of the transfer and takeover of wastewater, including the details of the outsourcer and entrusted person, type and quantity of wastewater, and plate numbers of wastewater transportation vehicles into the electronic transfer and takeover management system, when transferring and taking over wastewater for entrusted treatment
E. Delegation of authority and entrustment of affairs (Article 81 and Article 84)

Delegate the authority of the Minister of the Environment to examine and research for establishing a mid- and long-term water cycle target to the President of the National Institute of Environmental Research, entrust the electronic transfer and takeover management system and the performance inspection of facilities reducing non-point source pollution to the CEO of the Korea Environment Corporation, and entrust the affairs of the establishment of measuring networks and inspection related to water resources development facilities to the CEO of the Korea Water Resources Corporation