Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater (상하수도학회지)

The Korean Society of Water and Wastewater (대한상하수도학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Chironomids in Tap Water and Drinking Water Treatment Plants: Current Status and Management Strategies

수도시설 내 유충 발생 현황과 대응 기술 및 관리 방안

  • Hyo Jeong Kang (Institute of Environmental Ecology, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Dong Gun Kim (Institute of Environmental Ecology, Sahmyook University)
  • 강효정 (삼육대학교 환경생태연구소) ;
  • 김동건 (삼육대학교 환경생태연구소)
  • Received : 2025.12.11
  • Accepted : 2026.01.22
  • Published : 2026.02.15
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Since the detection of chironomid larvae in tap water in 2020, the problem has become a major socio-environmental issue in Korea. This study reviews the biological characteristics of Chironomidae, the larvae detection status in domestic water purification plants, monitoring methodologies, and current countermeasures. The effectiveness of conventional disinfectants and alternative agents such as chlorine dioxide and international case studies for integrated pest management approaches were reviewed. The findings highlight the importance of combining biological monitoring, physical filtration improvements, and chemical disinfection strategies for sustainable control of chironomid outbreaks in drinking water facilities.

2020년 수도시설 내에서 깔따구 유충이 발견된 사건 이후, 정수처리시설 내 유충 발생 문제는 국내에서 주요한 사회·환경적 이슈로 부상하였다. 본 연구는 깔따구과(Chironomidae)의 생태적 특성과 생활사를 바탕으로 국내 정수장 내 유충 발생 현황과 발생 원인을 종합적으로 분석하고, 모니터링 체계 및 대응 기술을 고찰하였다. 분석 결과, 유충 발생은 활성탄 여과지와 여과 공정을 중심으로 보고되었으며, 개방형 구조, 생물막 및 조류 축적, 여재 노후화, 역세척 효율 저하, 수온 및 유기물 증가 등 구조적·환경적·운영 요인이 복합적으로 작용하는 것으로 나타났다. 기존의 물리적·구조적 조치만으로는 발생 억제에 한계가 있어, 화학적 방제를 병행한 관리 전략의 필요성이 확인되었다. 특히 염소계 소독제 중심의 기존 수처리 체계와 더불어, 이산화염소(ClO2)와 같은 대체 소독제를 보조적으로 활용하는 접근이 검토될 수 있다. 본 연구는 생물학적 모니터링을 통한 조기 진단, 시설 및 공정 개선을 통한 산란·유입 차단, 기존 수처리제와 대체 소독제를 포함한 화학적 방제를 결합한 통합적 해충관리(IPM) 체계 구축이 정수장 운영 안정성과 수돗물 안전성 향상에 기여할 수 있음을 제시한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 결과물은 K-Water의 재원으로 상수도 혁신포럼사업의 지원을 받아 연구되었습니다.

References

  1. Amora, M.Q. (2015). Egg mass morphology of Chironomidae in lotic freshwater habitats, Hydrobiol., 756(1), 113-124.
  2. Armitage, P.D., Pinder, L.C., and Cranston, P.S. (2012). The Chironomidae: Biology and Ecology of Non-biting Midges, Springer Science & Business Media. Dordrecht. 571.
  3. Baek, M.J., Yoon, T.J., Kang, H.J., and Bae, Y.J. (2014). Biological and genetic characteristics of Glyptotendipes tokunagai on the basis of successive rearing over seven years, Environ. Entomol., 43(5), 1406-1418. https://doi.org/10.1603/EN14052
  4. Baek, Y.A., Lee, K.J., and Han, J.S. (2023). "Evaluation of midget larvae removal efficiency for each water treatment process on a pilot scale", Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the Korean Society of Water and Wastewater and the Korean Society on Water Environment, 22-23, March, 2023, Ilsan, Korea.
  5. Baek, Y.A., Lee, K.J., Yang, Y.S., and Lee, J.H. (2022). "Study of Control on Chironomid larvae in Disinfection, Coagulation and Sedimentation process", Proceedings of the 2022 Annual Conference of the Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, 8-11, November, 2022, Jeju, Korea.
  6. Catalogue of Life. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/ (Accessed Jan. 18, 2025)
  7. Drinking Water Inspectorate. (2019). Public drinking water quality report Q2 2019. Drinking Water Inspectorate, London. 34.
  8. Hilsenhoff, W.L. (1966). Biology of Chironomus plumosus in Lake Winnebago, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 59(3), 465-473. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/59.3.465
  9. Hirabayashi, K., Nagai, Y., Mushya, T., Higashino, M., and Taniguchi, Y. (2017). Phototaxis of Propsilocerus akamusi (Diptera: Chironomidae) from a shallow eutrophic lake in response to LED lamps, J. Am. Mosq. Control. Assoc., 33(2), 128-133. https://doi.org/10.2987/16-6600.1
  10. Hirabayashi, K., Nakazato, R., Ohara, A., and Okino, T. (1993). Phototaxis response of adult Chironomidae, Med. Entomol. Zool., 44(1), 33-39. https://doi.org/10.7601/mez.44.33
  11. Hudson, P.L., and Adams, J.V. (1998). Sieve efficiency in benthic sampling as related to chironomid head capsule width, J. Kans. Entomol. Soc., 456-468.
  12. Kim, M.C., Chun, D.J., Ro, T.H., and Han, S.S. (2005). Life cycle of Chironomus flaviplumus in Korea, J. Freshw. Ecol., 20(2), 409-411. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2005.9664983
  13. Lee, C.Y., Byeon, J., Kim, M.K., Lee, T.G., and Kim, D.G. (2022). Passability of Chironomid Larvae in Granular Activated Carbon, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health., 19(2), 1005. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19021005
  14. Lee, J.H., Yoon, T.J., and Kim, D.G. (2026). Bioassay of Chironomid Larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) Using Chlorine Dioxide Solution, Entomologic. Res., 56(1), e70088. https://doi.org/10.1111/enr.v56.1
  15. Levanidova, I.M., and Nikolaeva, E.T.(1968). Bottom-dwelling animals carried downstream in the rivers of Kamchatka. Izv. TINRO, v.64.
  16. Ministry of Environment. (2020a). Announcement of Final Results by the Joint Expert Investigation Team on Tap Water Larvae, Ministry of Environment Press Release, August 28, 2020.
  17. MOE. (2020b). Ministry of Environment to Respond with All-Out Efforts for National Tap Water Safety Management, Ministry of Environment Press Release, July 21, 2020.
  18. MOE. (2021). Inspection of Nationwide Water Purification Plants, Pre-emptive Blocking of Larvae Outflow at 5 Plants, Ministry of Environment Press Release, April 15, 2021.
  19. MOE. (2022). Special Sanitary Inspection Report for Water Treatment Facilities, Ministry of Environment Press Release, July 15, 2022.
  20. MOE. (2023). Revision of Drinking Water Monitoring Items Including Aquatic Invertebrates, Ministry of Environment Press Release, March 31, 2023.
  21. MOE. (2024). Discovery of larvae at Icheon Water Treatment Plant: Intensive investigation into causal factors and total efforts toward normalization of potable water supply, Ministry of Environment Press Release, April 21, 2024.
  22. MOE. (2025). Detection of midge larvae at Yeoju Water Treatment Plant: Comprehensive root-cause analysis and stabilization of tap water distribution, Ministry of Environment Press Release, April 18, 2025.
  23. Nath, S., and Samanta, S. (2024). Chironomid farming in consideration of various physicochemical parameters and reuse of condensate water, J. Appl. Entomol., 148(7), 780-789. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.v148.7
  24. National Assembly Research Service(NARS). (2020). Current Status of Larvae Occurrence in Tap Water and Improvement, Tasks. Issues and Points, No. 1738.
  25. National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR). (2019). National List of Species of Korea III. Insects, Designzip. 988
  26. NIBR. (2021). A Study on the Types and Distribution Status of Chironomidae (Non-biting Midges) in Korea. 110
  27. Nolte, U. (1993). Egg masses of Chironmidae (Diptera). A review, including new observation and a preliminary key, Entomol. Scand. Suppl., 43, 1-75.
  28. Panis, L.I., Goddeeris, B., and Verheyen, R. (1996). Hemoglobin function in midges. Oecologia, 107, 472-479.
  29. Sadler, W.O. (1935). Biology of the midge Chironomus tentans Fabricius and methods of its propagation, Mem. Cornell Univ. agric. Exp. Stn., No. 173, 25.
  30. Steynberg, M.C., Kok, M., Chale, B., Grundling, J.A., Joubert, J.H.B., and Geldenhuys, J.C. (1996). The removal of invertebrates by sand filtration and the influence thereof on water quality. South Africa, Pretoria: Water research commission.
  31. Sun, X.B., and Cui, F.Y. (2008). Inactivation of Chironomid larvae with ozone, Water Sci. Technol. Water Supply., 8(3), 355-361. https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2008.082
  32. Sun, X.B., Cui, F.Y., Zhang, J.S., Xu, F., and Liu, L.J. (2007). Inactivation of Chironomid larvae with chlorine dioxide, J. Hazard. Mater., 142(1-2), 348-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.08.030
  33. Tevapawat, P., and Tungpairojwong, N. (2024). Some Biological Aspects of Bloodworm: Chironomus pallidinubeculosus Tokunaga, 1964 (Diptera: Chironomidae), Trop. Life Sci. Res., 35(2), 227-247. https://doi.org/10.21315/tlsr2024.35.2
  34. Thorat, L.J. and Nath, B.B. (2018). Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus, J. Limnol., 77, 95-103.
  35. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). (2023). Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). https://www.epa.gov/sdwa (Accessed Oct. 6, 2025)
  36. Uddin, A.A., Anjuman, A.R.A., Islam, A.S., Roy, T.K., Hena, M.H., Joaty, J.Y., and Akter, S. (2025). Optimizing light trap height and installation timing for effective monitoring of insect pests in rice field, Nova Geodesia, 5(1), 322-322. https://doi.org/10.55779/ng51322
  37. Vebrová, L., van Nieuwenhuijzen, A., Kolář, V. and Boukal, D.S. (2018). Seasonality and weather conditions jointly drive flight activity patterns of aquatic and terrestrial chironomids, BMC Ecol., 18, 19.
  38. Williams, C.R. (1982). Drift of chironomid egg masses, Freshw. Biol., 12(6), 573-578. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.1982.12.issue-6
  39. World Health Organization(WHO). (2024). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: small water supplies. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. 220. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088740
  40. Wotton, R.S., and Hirabayashi, K. (1999). Midge larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) as engineers in slow sand filter beds, Water Res., 33(6), 1509-1515.