Sejong, December 9 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reuse treated wastewater on November 30. The agreement is to provide treated wastewater as industrial water in cooperation with government agencies (Environment ministry, K-water, Korea Environment Corporation), local governments (Gyeonggi, Suwon, Yongin, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Osan), and private sector (Samsung Electronics).

The private and public sectors will cooperate in reusing treated wastewater from five sewage treatment plants in Suwon, Suji, Giheung, Dongtan, and Osan as water for semiconductor manufacturing. 

The amount of water supplied by the five waste treatment plants amounts to 474,000 tons per day, the largest in Korea and the world. The amount is equivalent to the amount of tap water consumed by the citizens of Gwangju Metropolitan City per day, 484,000 tons. Likewise, it is expected to secure about 170 million tons of water, equivalent to the Namgang Dam's capacity (about 180 million tons), as it replaces the dam's water supply.

With the MOU, the Ministry of Environment will lay the foundation for water supply to the semiconductor manufacturing process that requires highly treated water. The ministry plans to expand the supply base of treated wastewater by broadening the scope of businesses for wastewater reuse. As for local governments, this project will be helpful for their finance as the companies will pay for being supplied treated wastewater. Furthermore, it will boost the local economy by constructing related infrastructure. It also benefits companies to be provided with treated wastewater to participate in an "environmental, social, and governance" (ESG). The companies will also be supplied with water stably even during severe droughts. It is particularly beneficial in reducing the managerial risks in case of emergencies such as restrictions in water supply, etc.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has operated a consultative body for the reuse of wastewater consisting of local governments and related agencies to establish measures for the supply of treated wastewater since July. They have constantly discussed with the local governments and companies. The ministry will finalize the detailed plan, including the size of facilities for wastewater reuse, through discussions with private companies and local governments during the commercialization process. The public and private sectors will jointly work together to develop ultra-pure water technology. The Ministry of Environment plans to increase the scope of wastewater reuse to drought-prone areas such as the western part of Chungnam, the southern part of Jeonnam, etc., with regional plans for supplying treated wastewater. The ministry plans to establish a regional public-private consultative body under the Ministry of Environment to link local governments and companies that need treated wastewater. Additionally, the ministry will build an information platform on wastewater reuse to provide related data and information.

Han Wha-jin, Minister of Environment, said, "Stable water supply is the most critical element for stabilizing people's lives and corporate production. The MOU will allow us to supply industrial water sustainably and secure sufficient water to be reserved." She added, "To respond preemptively to the water scarcity caused by extreme drought and climate change, the Ministry of Environment will broaden the wastewater reuse project. On the other hand, the ministry will do its best to develop ultra-pure water technology to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's water industry."

Contact: Kang Choo-hyang, Deputy Director

Sewerage Division / +82-(0)44-201-7023

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr