"I Won't Take Your Money"... Store Moves Gangneung Resident with Heartfelt Gift of a Bucket

Gangneung City Announces Water Supply Restrictions for Large Consumers
Timed and Alternate-Day Supply to Be Implemented If Reservoir Levels Drop Below 10%

A story about a citizen in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, who tried to buy a bucket to collect water amid a severe drought, has touched many people. The reason is a heartfelt text message left by the seller, who canceled the order unilaterally. On September 4, a post appeared on the Gangneung local online community "Happy Gangneung Mom," describing how a kitchen and bathroom supply online store canceled an order for a bucket that morning. The author, identified as A, wrote, "I ordered a bucket online to collect dishwashing rinse water and washing machine rinse water, but the owner of the store canceled the order and said they would just send it to me for free. I was moved when I read the text message. I'm grateful," and shared the message from the seller.

On the 4th, an online store seller confirmed that the buyer of the bucket was a resident of Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, suffering from the worst drought, canceled the order, and delivered the bucket for free. Online community

The seller texted, "I believe you intend to use the bucket to cope with the severe water shortage in Gangneung, so I wanted to help in any way I could. I will send you the item for free. I have canceled your order and will ship it by courier." When A replied, "Thank you. I hope your business will always be blessed with good fortune," the seller responded with words of encouragement, saying, "Even if it's inconvenient, things will definitely get better if you hang in there a little longer." After reading this heartwarming story, online users commented, "A small but great act of kindness," "You have the ability to empathize with those in difficult situations-may you be blessed," and "I hope it rains soon in Gangneung so the drought will end."

Gangneung City: "Water supply restrictions for large consumers... If reservoir rate falls below 10%, supply will be limited by time and alternate days"

Meanwhile, on September 5, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that as of 6 p.m. the previous day, the water level at Obong Reservoir-which supplies 87% of Gangneung's domestic water-stood at 13.4%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the previous day and a new record low. The government is making every effort to secure water, significantly increasing water supply support from military water tanks and fire trucks, and closing public restrooms, swimming pools, saunas, and now public sports facilities. However, Gangneung's rainfall over the past six months has reached only 39.6% of the average, and the drought continues.

A firefighting helicopter is spraying water to increase the reservoir level at Obong Reservoir, the main water source of Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, which is experiencing the worst drought in a day. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, Gangneung City in Gangwon Province will inevitably implement water supply restrictions targeting large consumers, including apartment complexes. Starting at 9 a.m. on September 6, the city will begin restricting and transporting water to large consumers in the Hongje Water Purification Plant supply area. This will affect 123 large consumers with water tanks of 100 tons or more, including 113 apartment complexes (about 45,000 households) and 10 large accommodation facilities.

The city plans to encourage water conservation by locking water valves and transporting water to large consumers with reservoirs. If the reservoir rate falls below 10%, water supply will be restricted for the entire Hongje Water Purification Plant service area (53,485 water meters). In the first stage, water use will be limited by time, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; in the second stage, it will be on alternate days. The city will apply these restrictions in stages depending on reservoir levels. If discolored (reddish) water occurs due to restricted supply, the city will implement emergency measures such as dispatching fire trucks and water spray vehicles, inspecting and draining downstream fire hydrants after opening or closing reservoir valves, and other steps.