Sejong, December 02 - In response to the prolonged drought in the Yeongsangang and Seomjingang river basins, the Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) held a meeting with the concerned organizations on November 22 to discuss the preemptive measures to solve the drought. In preparation for a prolonged drought in the Yeongsangang and Seomjingang rivers until next year's flood, this meeting was to share the current drought situation in the regions and establish a cooperative system to deal with the problems with the local governments (Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do), Ministry of Interior and Safety, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. 

The cumulative precipitation in the Yeongsangang and Seomjingang river basins from January 1 to November 16 of this year was 808 mm, which is only 61.6% in the same period of the previous year. As a result, the average water storage levels of major dams in the basin are 58.2% lower than last year. The Ministry of Environment has deemed these dams to be in the "Severe" drought stage according to the "Dam Water Supply Adjustment Criteria."

If the drought conditions persist or worsen, the Ministry of Environment forecasts that most dams may reach the "low" water storage level before June 2023. In this case, the Ministry of Environment plans to take water emergency measures preemptively. The "low" water storage level is the last limit at which water can be supplied normally. Below the "low" level, there is a limit to its use due to water quality problems.   

Since July, the Ministry of Environment has reserved 67.74 million tons of water by reducing the river maintenance flow and water for agricultural use. The ministry also substituted Seomjingang Dam's residential and industrial water with streamwater. It is equivalent to approximately 35 days of water demand for Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do. In the case of the Juam Dam and Sueo Dam, 53.2 million tons have been reserved by reducing river maintenance flow and water for agricultural use and utilizing water from the Boseong River Dam, a hydroelectric dam. Seomjingang Dam has stored 12.3 million tons of water for residential and industrial use. In addition, the Pyeongnim Dam has stored 2.24 million tons of water by replacing water from nearby agricultural reservoirs, Jangseongho Lake and Hamdong Reservoir.

At the meeting, attendees discussed continuing existing drought measures and taking additional ones, such as "managing water demand and supply." Regarding water demand management, they agreed to encourage local governments to save water by reforming the "voluntary demand adjustment to conserve water," which had imposed penalties for failure to meet targets. The concerned authorities will discuss with the tenants of Yeosu and Gwangyang Industrial Complexes to reduce the companies' demand for industrial water. The discussion will include rescheduling maintenance for factories housed in the Yeosu and Gwangyang Industrial Complexes to the first half of 2023. In addition, public institutions in Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do will come forward to conserve water by regulating water pressure. The institutions also plan to raise awareness among residents on water conservation. In terms of supply management of water, water from Jangheung Dam will be used as an alternative to reduce the water supply from Juam Dam. Streamwater from the Yeongsangang River will also be supplied during the emergency. The ministry will consider operating Boseonggang Dam, a hydropower plant, to provide water for drought relief instead of generating power. 

The Ministry of Environment will seek alternative ways to supply water to the islands because the islanders can't get water for living from multipurpose dams despite these preventive measures. The ministry decided to provide residents with more bottled tap water and ship more fresh water. In addition, the ministry will use its seawater desalination boat developed by the ministry's R&D. The ministry plans to send the boat to islands, such as Yeosu and Wando, to solve the drought. 

Along with the meeting, Minister of Environment Han Wha-jin visited Dongbok Dam in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, a major water source for Gwangju Metropolitan city, to discuss drought measures with Mayor Kang Ki-jeong. The Ministry of Environment organized the Task Force to respond to drought headed by the Director-General of the Integrated Water Policy Bureau on November 11. In the future, the Taskforce will prepare countermeasures against drought in cooperation with central and local governments and other concerned authorities. 

Shin Jin-soo, Deputy Minister of the Water Management Policy, said, "Overcoming the prolonged drought requires maximum effort in every direction, including water conservation, demand management, and water reserve." He added, "Working closely with the concerned organizations, the Ministry of Environment will do its best to minimize inconveniences in people's lives and the economic loss caused by drought."

Contact: Chang Gam, Deputy Director

Water Use Planning Division / +82-(0)44-201-7116

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr