ECO-STREAM BECOMES HOME TO OTTERS

[Anchor Lead]

Osancheon Stream in the city of Osan has been transformed into an eco-stream that is now home to otters, an endangered species. The feat comes as a result of joint efforts by the local government, businesses and the public to purify the polluted stream. Clean water released from nearby factories has played a pivotal role in the stream's transformation.

[Pkg]

As the sun sets, a pair of otters appears in a stream. They swim to hunt, and mark their territory. This footage of otters, a Class 1 endangered species, was filmed with an infrared camera. The residents of Osan City were delighted to see it.

[Soundbite] KWON MIN-JOO(OSAN RESIDENT) : "I believe the presence of otters means it's a good environment for me."

Around a decade ago, the Osancheon Stream was heavily polluted. There were piles of garbage, stinking up the area. In 2007, the government of Osan City launched a restoration project. The pivotal role in improving water quality was played by the water released from nearby factories. Some 45,000 tons of clean water is released from the factories daily into the stream.

[Soundbite] KOO TAE-WAN(SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS) : "We're releasing water to the Osancheon Stream instead of Woncheoncheon Stream. We also analyze water quality and transmit data in real time to the Korea Environment Corporation."

The stream's Biochemical Oxygen Demand has been elevated from 5.2 ppm, which constitutes Grade 3, to 1.4 ppm, tantamount to Grade 1.

[Soundbite] KWAK SANG-WOOK(OSAN MAYOR) : "There are various kinds of fish and vegetation in the stream now, and the otters began to reproduce. That's the biggest achievement of the restoration project."

Thanks to the efforts of the local government, businesses and the public, who planted irises and released indigenous fish into the stream, it is now clean enough to become home to otters.