Gangneung to Shut Off 50% of Water Meters... Severe Water Shortage Prompts Supply Restrictions from August 20

Due to severe drought, Obong Reservoir, the main water source of Gangneung City in Gangwon Province, is currently at a record low water level of 21.8% as of the 19th, rapidly emptying. Gangneung City will implement a water supply restriction by shutting off 50% of the water meters starting from the 20th. Yonhap News

Gangneung City in Gangwon Province, which is experiencing water shortages due to severe drought, will begin water supply restrictions starting on August 20 by shutting off 50% of water meters. The affected area includes the entire supply zone of the Hongje Water Purification Plant, which serves 180,000 people, covering most of the city except for Jumunjin-eup, Yeongok-myeon, and Wangsang-myeon. The city expects this measure to reduce water usage by about 40%.

As of August 19, the Obong Reservoir, which supplies 87% of Gangneung’s domestic water, has dropped to a record low water level of 21.8% (compared to the average of 68.0%). The cumulative rainfall over the past six months has been only 386.9mm, which is just 51.5% of the average. There is also no significant rain forecast until September. At the current rate, the reservoir is expected to last only 25 more days.

Previously, on July 7, the city adjusted the opening rate of 13 reservoirs to 80%. In addition, it has implemented measures such as adjusting water pressure at 248 major facilities including Gangneung City Hall, adjusting water pressure at 197 large consumers who use more than 100 tons per day, temporarily closing three public swimming pools, and restricting water supply to manage and conserve water. If the water level drops below 15%, the city plans to increase the water meter shutdown to 75%. If it falls below 0%, the city will distribute 2 liters of bottled water per household per day and supply water to all areas by truck. At the current pace, the reservoir level is expected to reach 15% around August 28.

Kim Honggyu, mayor of Gangneung, is holding a press conference on emergency measures to respond to drought on the 19th. Gangneung City

As a short-term measure, the city plans to increase the storage rate by dredging the Doma Stream upstream of the Obong Reservoir. In the first half of next year, Gangneung will also develop a large well in the Namdae Stream area to secure an additional water source of over 10,000 tons per day. For the mid- to long-term, the city aims to double the Yeongok-Hongje water pipeline, expand the storage capacity of the Obong Reservoir, build an underground storage dam in the Namdae Stream, utilize recycled water, and accelerate the maintenance and modernization of aging water pipes. Mayor Kim Honggyu stated, "This is a grave crisis that requires the full mobilization of Gangneung City," and added, "If we work together with our citizens, we can surely overcome this drought."

While Gangneung residents are making efforts to conserve water, on August 14, the neighboring city of Sokcho (Mayor Lee Byungseon) delivered 30,000 bottles of bottled water (worth 30 million won). Of these, 10,000 bottles (worth 10 million won) were purchased with voluntary donations from Sokcho City Hall employees, and 20,000 bottles (worth 20 million won) were donated by Global Deepwater Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Jingyu), based in Sokcho. The bottled water will be distributed to high-altitude and emergency supply areas, as well as to vulnerable groups within the city who are suffering most from the drought.

Sokcho City and Global Deepwater Co., Ltd. visited Gangneung City Hall on the morning of the 14th to deliver donated goods (30,000 bottles of 500ml bottled water) in response to the prolonged drought. Gangneung City

Sokcho Mayor Lee Byungseon said, "This support reflects the sincerity of Sokcho citizens, delivering much-needed water to our neighbors," and added, "I hope the warm hearts of our citizens will bring hope like rain to Gangneung, and we will continue to strengthen cooperation between local governments." Kim Jingyu, CEO of Global Deepwater Co., Ltd., stated, "As fellow residents of Gangwon Province, it is only natural to share in times of hardship. I hope that each bottle of water will give strength to Gangneung citizens and help them overcome these difficulties."