Boryeong City Plans to Reduce Domestic Water Supply if Drought Persists
The water storage rate of Boryeong Dam, the main source of drinking water for the western region of South Chungcheong Province, has dropped to 33.5%, intensifying the water shortage crisis.
The city of Boryeong announced on the 13th that the water storage rate of Boryeong Dam, which entered the 'Attention' stage for drought on January 2, was at 33.5% as of the 12th, indicating a lack of available water.
Currently, the city is supplying domestic water as usual, but if the drought continues, it is planning to reduce the supply of domestic water.
According to the city, the March storage rates of Boryeong Dam, which has the greatest impact on domestic water supply, over the past three years were 30.8% in 2022, 30.3% in 2023, and 72.6% in 2024. Except for last year, the region has experienced water shortages due to drought over the past three years.
Boryeong Dam is a key dam that supplies domestic and industrial water to eight cities and counties in the western region of South Chungcheong Province, including Seosan, Dangjin, and Boryeong. The decrease in storage directly affects residents in these areas.
As a result, the need for the construction of Jicheon Dam, a climate crisis response dam by the Ministry of Environment, is being raised.
To resolve these issues, South Chungcheong Province is promoting the construction of Jicheon Dam in Buyeo and Cheongyang. However, some residents of Cheongyang and environmental groups are opposing the dam, arguing that "a dam to supply industrial water to other regions is unnecessary," so difficulties are expected.
South Chungcheong Province is pursuing various measures to prepare for the decline in Boryeong Dam's storage, such as strengthening the operation of the Daecheong Dam-Boryeong Dam waterway, measures to reduce agricultural and industrial water use, and expanding water recycling in cooperation with private companies. However, the province sees Jicheon Dam as an alternative that can supplement Boryeong Dam's insufficient water volume and enable stable water supply even during droughts.
Kim Tae-heum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, held a press conference at the provincial government office on the 6th and emphasized, "Jicheon is the optimal location for water storage due to its geographical conditions and abundant water, and it is the only alternative to solve the water shortage problem. It is an essential project that will be responsible for the next 100 years of South Chungcheong in residential, industrial, agricultural, livestock, and tourism sectors."
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