The Ministry of Environment strengthens the development work on drinking water supply system in small islands as well as in farming and fishing communities. The island residents have been relying on small well water or rainwater, experiencing serious difficulties due to drinking water scarcity. To accommodate quality water supply for the residents, the Ministry of Environment calls for a drastic countermeasure by investing approximately US $ 38 million to forty islands this year, and US $ 150 million to seventy two islands by 2005. Among the forty-three subjected islands, which are in serious needs for tap water supply, include Baengnyeong-Do, Mara-do, Heuksan-Do, and Hansan-Do.

With the bold investment, the Ministry will further develop reservoirs and groundwater to secure water resources of the islands, aiming at a significant increase in water supply rate from 22% to 70% by 2005. When sufficient water management strategies are not accomplished, the Ministry will adopt the desalination process, to produce safely drinkable water supply.

The small islands' hard facts are less available lands for the reservoir development, high percentage of salts in groundwater, and 30% higher construction costs of building the water supply system compared to that of lands. Fruitfully, it is prospected that this development work, the Ministry's efficient countermeasure, will take a significant part in resolving water supply scarcity in small islands.