Wando-gun, Step-by-Step Response to Prolonged Drought

Published 10 Nov.2022 13:53(KST)

Promotion of pumping river water through large wells and commencement of reservoir dredging, etc.

Water is being replenished using a water truck at the Soan-myeon Midae Festival (Photo by Wando-gun).

[Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, is experiencing the worst drought in 50 years with the lowest rainfall since 1973, and is making every effort to respond to the prolonged drought.

According to Wando-gun on the 10th, water supply was provided for 2 days and cut off for 6 days in Nohwa-eup and Bogil-myeon in March, but fortunately, due to the influence of Typhoon Hinnamnor No. 11, the reservoir water level showed 80%, and restricted water supply was lifted after 182 days.

However, in the case of Nohwa Neopdo, the reservoir water level (6%) has not increased, so water supply is provided for 1 day and cut off for 6 days from May to the present.

To make matters worse, as the dry season approaches and rain continues to be scarce, the areas with restricted water supply are expected to increase.

Currently, Soan-myeon, where 2,300 residents live, has a Miraje reservoir water level of only 8%, and from November 1, water supply is provided for 2 days and cut off for 5 days. Geumil-eup, with a population of 3,650, also started water supply for 2 days and cut off for 4 days from November 7.

Accordingly, the county has established and is implementing a drought response plan in stages.

The first stage will be implemented until the end of November, supplementing reservoir water by pumping river water through water supply lines and large wells, maintaining small wells, river water, and simple waterworks by village, and installing water tanks to supply domestic water.

The second stage will begin in mid-November, starting dredging of reservoirs in Geumil, Soan, Nohwa, and Gogeum, installing village spring water supply stations, promoting medium-sized well development projects at the village level, and supplying 300 tons per day to Soan Miraje through a seawater desalination plant, a pilot project by the Ministry of Environment.

The third stage is scheduled to begin in January 2023, planning to supply wide-area tap water using large iron barges and vehicles.

In addition, from November, a water-saving campaign aiming to reduce usage by 10% compared to September is being vigorously promoted targeting Geumil, Nohwa, Gogeum, Yaksan, Soan, and Bogil, and from December, bottled water will be supplied to restricted water supply areas.

A county official said, “We will do our best to maximize the number of days water supply is possible by establishing short- and long-term plans for island residents who are experiencing many inconveniences due to restricted water supply.”