Sejong, May 1 - The Second National Water Management Committee (Co-chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Sejong University President Deg-hyo Bae, hereinafter referred to as "Committee") held its first meeting on April 25, 2023. The Committee deliberated and decided on the mid and long-term drought measures around the Yeongsangang River and Seomjingang River Basins and discussed the 2023 summer flood response measures. The National Water Management Committee is a body established under Article 20 of the Framework Act on Water Management to deliberate and decide on important matters concerning water management. The Committee comprises government agencies, public institutions, and commissioned private experts. Before the main meeting, an appointment ceremony was held for 22 new private sector members appointed in November 2022. The Committee discussed six agendas to be deliberated and one agenda to be reported. 

The first agenda to be deliberated, which is the mid and long-term drought measures around the Yeongsangang River and Seomjingang River Basins, includes predictions of the maximum future water demand of the Yeongsangang River and Seomjingang River basins and the supply of an additional 610,000 tons of water annually over two stages. The first stage includes measures to secure a maximum of 450,000 tons of water per day by ①adjusting the water supply system, ②securing alternative water sources, ③making emergency links, ④utilizing weirs, and ⑤developing new water resources.

① Six cities and counties in the Yeongsan River basin, such as Mokpo and Gwangju, used to be supplied from the Juan Dam can be supplied instead from Jangheung Dam by installing a water conveyance pipeline linking Jangheung Dam to Juam Dam. Water intake facilities and waterways (45.7km) will be built to supply the surplus water from the Juam Dam to the Yeosu Industrial Complex. In addition, to prepare for a water shortage from the dam that supplies water to the Gwangyang Industrial Complex, building emergency supply facilities that will directly supply water from the Juam Dam to Gwangyang Industrial Complex (water intake facilities, booster pump stations) will be considered.

② A wastewater reuse facility (50,000 tons/day) within the public wastewater treatment facility in Yeosu will be built, and constructing a seawater desalination facility (150,000㎥/day) that utilizes power generation effluent, etc. will be considered to supply industrial water to the Yeosu Industrial Complex.

③ Emergency linking facilities will be available to supply water from the Yeongsangang River in case of water shortage in Dongbok Dam, a drinking water source in Gwangju. A well-organized system will be put in place to send the water from Boseonggang Dam for power generation to Juam Dam for domestic and industrial use in case of drought at Juam Dam.

④ The Committee will move away from the existing uniform operation of weirs and operate Seungchon weirs and Juksan weirs flexibly in the Yeongsangang River basin, depending on droughts, algae blooms, and floods. The water secured through the dams will be used for maintaining river flow and for agricultural use, and some of the water from the upstream reservoirs that were previously used for agricultural purposes will be used for domestic and industrial purposes.

⑤ The Committee will actively consider and promote measures to secure new water sources by building local small- and medium-sized dams and expanding reservoirs managed by local governments.

The plan's second stage includes measures for using emergency and dead water storage. The plan also calls for bringing more water from the Seomjingang River to supply more than 160,000㎥/day to prevent water shortage for domestic and industrial uses despite extreme droughts caused by climate change. Furthermore, considering the characteristics of the Jeollanam-do region, which accounts for 60% (280 facilities) of the nation's reservoirs, plans will be made to supply water with underground groundwater reservoirs and mobile modular desalination plants on islands.

In addition, the 2023 Summer Flood Response Measures were developed to respond to high-intensity floods in a well-organized structure proactively, based on the analysis of major flood cases such as last year's heavy rain in the Seoul metropolitan area and Typhoon Hinnamnor. To enhance flood forecasting, the Committee will introduce AI-based flood forecasting and pilot a digital twin (AI/DT)-based urban flood forecasting system in the Dorimcheon Stream starting in May.

Moreover, it will be possible to provide customized flood information by completing the urban flood map ahead of schedule (2024) and sharing dam discharge information. Also, additional flood response infrastructure will be available to respond to extreme floods, including those from high-depth rainwater storage tunnels (at Gangnam Station and Gwanghwamun in Seoul) and flood control dams in Naengcheon Stream in Pohang.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated, "In response to the era of the climate crisis, we will pursue three key directions for water management: more efficient and smart water management, integrated and well-organized water management, and harmonious water management." He added, "We hope that the National Water Management Committee will play a role in resolving various conflicts and securing consensus based on scientific and rational solutions."

Furthermore, Chairman Deg-hyo Bae stated, "The second Committee will take a leading role in proposing solutions to national water management issues such as droughts and floods, and will serve as a focal point for truly integrated water management by listening to various voices from water-related agencies, experts, and organizations and actively communicating with each other."

Contact: Shin Jae-sung, Deputy Director

National Water Management Commission / +82-(0)44-201-8933

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

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