Village Survives on Stream Water Without Tap Water… Barely a Basin of Water to Wash With

For residents in Busan experiencing record-breaking heat waves, this summer is proving even more severe as they lack even basic tap water facilities.

On August 3, Sagi Village in Mandeok-dong, Buk-gu, Busan.

About 50 residents in this village, which requires a long climb along a mountain slope, rely on water tanks for daily life because tap water is not supplied.

Stream water flowing down a hose stretching about 4 kilometers from the mountain peak is collected in a large water tank and then distributed to small water tanks installed in each household.

A tour around the village revealed small blue water tanks scattered across various houses topped with slate roofs.

Kim, a 70-year-old village head, said, "Even normally, when water is scarce, we use it sparingly by shutting the hose in the morning and opening it again in the evening," adding, "We manage it by putting in purification chemicals about twice a month so residents can drink and wash with the water."

However, the record-breaking heat wave that blanketed Busan completely cut off the residents' only lifeline.

In particular, Buk-gu recently recorded daytime temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F), making it one of the hottest areas in Busan.

As the water coming down from the mountain dried up, residents found themselves struggling to secure even drinking water, let alone water to wash with.

A resident in their 70s met in the village said, "Because water is precious, using the water stored in the tank for washing is out of the question; we mostly use it for cooking or drinking," and added, "When water is short, I go to the mart to buy several bottles of bottled water, but because they are heavy, I cannot bring back many."

The resident continued, "Sometimes people go to public bathhouses, but that is only possible when finances allow," adding, "I am a 'youth' belonging to the younger side in this village, but elderly residents who have mobility issues due to age stay inside their homes without even being able to wash."

Recently, following requests from residents and the Buk-gu Council, the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters provided an emergency water supply of about 4 to 5 tons to the village, but no matter how sparingly it is used, it is an amount difficult to last for a week.

Stepping into the yard of another resident in their 70s, unorganized empty bottled water containers and parched basins were scattered everywhere.

It was a sight that hinted at how long the water shortage situation had persisted.

Approaching the water tank and pointing to the water level with a hand, a resident said, "It is truly driving us to death," and added, "When the fire department distributed water, I received about 50 liters, but now only this much is left." They said, "Water is so precious that I use only about one basin a day, and wiping my body with a wet towel is all I do."

The resident lamented, "I am not asking for much. I just want to try washing with two or three basins of water."

With a lack of proper rainfall since the beginning of this summer coupled with the unprecedented heat wave, the entire village has literally fallen into a drought.

Various crops such as pumpkins, corn, and peppers in vegetable gardens created by residents all over the streets turned yellow and withered long ago.

Even in the stream that cuts across the middle of the village and supposedly has never dried up in a lifetime, traces of water were hard to find.

Only small minnows were swimming in the last remaining puddle in the lower reaches of the stream.

Watching this, a resident expressed frustration, saying, "They too will die in a few days when the stream dries up," and added, "I have lived in this neighborhood all my life, but I am seeing this kind of scene for the first time."

Residents pleaded that even if installing tap water facilities is difficult right now, measures such as water supply support must be arranged so they can safely get through this summer.

Because this village contains Mandeok-saji, a historical site designated as a monument by Busan, development is difficult, and internal disagreements within the village regarding tap water construction make it hard to install tap water facilities.

Village head Kim said, "We asked the fire authorities for additional water supply, but given their dispatch duties, they are not in a position to continue supporting us," adding, "We do not know when water will come out again, and for now, there is not even an alternative."

He added, "We are not trying to live luxuriously or conveniently, and this is truly an issue closely tied to life," urging, "Measures must be arranged as soon as possible."

Buk-gu Council Chairperson Jung Ki-soo, who visited the site together that day, said, "The suffering of residents who experience difficulties because water is not supplied despite living right in the middle of the urban area is immense," and added, "I will do my utmost to arrange fundamental solutions so residents can live stably."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.