The South Korean government is launching a 'water positive' initiative that recognizes the reduction of water intake through the reuse of industrial water. The program will initially be implemented by POSCO, with plans to expand to other water-intensive industries such as semiconductors and steel.
On September 22, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment will sign a 'Sustainable Industrial Water Management and Water Positive Cooperation Agreement' with POSCO at the POSCO Center in Gangnam, Seoul.
Under this agreement, POSCO will treat water that was previously discharged as wastewater after failing to meet certain quality standards for cooling purposes, allowing it to be reused. The company plans to increase the volume of reused water by continuously monitoring the quality of cooling water and applying processes such as membrane filtration.
Initially, this method will be applied to five of POSCO's cooling towers next year, with plans to expand to 20 towers by 2028. After evaluating the project's outcomes, further applications will be considered.
The government will certify the actual reduction in water intake from the reuse of cooling water as the water restoration volume. The Korea Water Resources Corporation will analyze data on water usage, reuse, production, plant operation rates, and water balance to support the calculation and verification of water restoration volume. The Ministry of Climate will oversee the project and certify the water restoration volume after consulting with experts.
According to the ministry, the demand for industrial water has increased due to the growth of large-scale industries such as semiconductors and steel, while climate change has heightened uncertainties in water supply due to droughts and floods. This underscores the need to expand the reuse of water used in industrial settings to reduce new water intake.
Starting in 2024, the ministry will operate a 'Water Positive Cooperation Group' with companies including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, LG Electronics, POSCO, Naver, Amorepacific, Korea Coca-Cola, and Pulmuone. Following the restoration of the Jangheung Dam's Sinpung Wetland last year, this year’s initiatives include the creation of a sand spring near a military base in Hwacheon and the restoration of aquatic ecosystem continuity in Yangyang's Namdaecheon.
The ministry aims to use this collaboration as a model for improving water use efficiency within facilities and linking it to water positive outcomes, with plans to expand to other water-intensive sectors such as semiconductors and steel.
Song Ho-seok, head of the Ministry of Climate's Water Management Policy Office, stated, "To ensure the continuous growth of advanced industries and respond to climate change, it is crucial to have a stable water supply and to use water more efficiently in industrial settings. We will support voluntary investments by companies in water conservation and reuse to achieve tangible water restoration results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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