Gwangju Buk-gu to Launch 'Water Shield' to Prevent Flooding

Aiming for Completion by the End of Next Year with a 27,000-Ton Capacity in Munheung-dong
KRW 19.9 Billion Invested in the Project

Gwangju Buk-gu is breaking ground on the construction of a large stormwater retention facility in Munheung-dong to prevent flooding caused by heavy rainfall. This facility, which can store up to 27,000 tons of rainwater, is being built with an investment of 19.9 billion KRW and is scheduled for completion by the end of next year.

Aerial view of the excellent detention facility in Munheung-dong, Gwangju. Provided by Buk-gu, Gwangju

According to Buk-gu on the 3rd, a groundbreaking ceremony for the stormwater retention facility will be held on the morning of the 5th at the former Gwangju Prison parking lot, with more than 200 attendees including Mayor Moon and local residents. The facility will have the capacity to store up to 27,000 tons of rainwater, equivalent to 11 Yeomju swimming pools.

The stormwater retention facility is a disaster prevention facility that temporarily stores rainwater that cannot be drained through the sewer system during heavy rainfall, thereby preventing flooding. After suffering severe flood damage in the summer of 2020 due to rainfall exceeding 500mm, Buk-gu began expanding its disaster prevention infrastructure.

Buk-gu was selected for a government-funded project and plans to implement disaster prevention projects totaling 139.3 billion KRW in phases by 2029. The Munheung-dong stormwater retention facility will receive an investment of 19.9 billion KRW.

Mayor Moon stated, "We will focus our administrative capabilities to ensure the stormwater retention facility is constructed without delay and to minimize flood damage," and added, "We will do our utmost to create a permanently safe city."

Meanwhile, Buk-gu is carrying out stormwater retention and sewer maintenance projects in flood-prone areas such as the Buk-gu Office intersection, Sinan Bridge, Seobangcheon, Unam-dong, and Cheomdan District.