Unmun Dam faces severe drought, threatening Daegu water supply

The Unmun Dam, a primary drinking water source for Daegu, is facing a severe drought. As of October 5, the dam's storage rate has dropped to 22.9%, remaining in the 'serious' drought stage. This decline follows a period of low rainfall, with precipitation in the Unmun Dam basin since January reaching only 634mm, approximately 57% of the annual average.

To ensure a stable water supply, Daegu City has increased the daily supply of alternative water from the Nakdong River to approximately 70,000 tons. If the drought persists, the city plans to begin drawing water from both the Unmun Dam and the Geumho River in early November.

In preparation, the city is working with the Korea Water Resources Corporation to inspect emergency supply facilities and pipelines for the Geumho River. Officials are also conducting preliminary checks on water quality changes and the stability of water treatment processes that will be required when mixing water from both sources.