"Hard Times Over": Gangneung Lifts All Time-Based Water Restrictions for Apartments

Obong Reservoir Water Level Rises to 28.5%
Water Supply Restrictions Fully Lifted for 113 Apartment Complexes

Gangneung City in Gangwon Province has fully lifted the time-based water supply restrictions for apartments, as the water level at the Obong Reservoir is showing signs of recovery.

As Gangneung City began the second distribution of bottled water to apartments with more than 300 households from the 15th, a scene of bottled water being delivered to an apartment. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 19th, Gangneung City announced that it would lift the water supply restrictions for 113 apartment complexes with water tanks of at least 100 tons, effective from 6 p.m. on the same day. As a result, residents can now use tap water without any time limitations.

Previously, Gangneung City began restricting water supply on August 20, when the reservoir level dropped below 25%. Initially, only half of the water meters were opened, but by the end of the month, when the water level fell below 15%, the city implemented stricter measures, closing up to 75% of the meters.

Some complexes experienced extreme restrictions, receiving water for only one hour each in the morning and afternoon. Since the 13th, the city had adjusted the supply to provide water to all apartments twice a day (from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m.).

On this day, Gangneung City held a meeting with apartment management representatives and decided to lift the restrictions, taking into account the recent upward trend in reservoir levels, the weather forecast for rain, and the effects of water conservation. However, to prepare for droughts in the fall and winter, the city will maintain its policy of encouraging households to voluntarily close their water valves by 75%.

As of 4:10 p.m. on this day, the water level at the Obong Reservoir stood at 28.5%, up 3.9 percentage points from the previous day. This is a significant recovery compared to the record low of 11.5% on September 12.

Kim Hongkyu, Mayor of Gangneung, said, "I would like to thank the apartment residents for cooperating with the time-based water restrictions and apologize for any inconvenience caused. Although the reservoir level has increased to the 28% range following the much-needed rain, it is still lower than the average for this time of year, so continued efforts by citizens to conserve water are necessary."