Sasebo City implements water pressure reduction due to drought

Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture has implemented pressure reduction water supply measures in its southern districts starting March 3. This action follows a significant drop in water levels at the Shimonohara Dam, which fell below 60% due to prolonged lack of rainfall since the end of the rainy season in July 2026.

The measure affects approximately 42,000 households, or about 80,000 people, in areas including Hayaki and Otomachi. By lowering water pressure in the pipes, the city aims to reduce water distribution by 10% to encourage conservation. This is the first time such pressure reduction has been utilized in the city since 2007.

The city has raised the drought level for the southern region to the highest stage, level 5, and established a drought response headquarters. Officials noted that heavy algae growth in the Kawatana River has made water intake difficult, increasing reliance on the Shimonohara Dam. If current usage continues without significant rainfall, the reservoir could drop below 30% within a month, potentially leading to complete water outages.