H. Yoo
Research expert covering South Korea
Water industry in South Korea - statistics & facts
Although South Korea has high annual precipitation on average, its precipitation per capita is lower compared to global averages due to its large population. This, combined with the fact that South Korea lacks natural resources, means that the country faces an uphill challenge when securing drinkable water. Despite this, the amount of water consumed per person daily continues to grow as advancements in water management have allowed the general population to consume with little worry for now.
South Korea’s expertise in the water industry
The main sources of drinkable water in the country are dams, rivers, and groundwater. With water from its river basins almost fully allocated for use, South Korea has had little choice but to develop expertise in building dams and operating hydropower plants. Such proficiencies and significant investments in research and development made by the government on water-related industries have brought the nation international renown for its approach to water scarcity. Indeed, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has become one of the leading energy and water utility companies worldwide, and South Korea now exports this knowledge to other countries that are facing similar challenges.Sustainable solutions for water security
With the passing of the Water Management Act in 2018, the South Korean government has sought to promote sustainable solutions as climate change and pollution further strain the country's water security. This support has helped develop the wastewater processing infrastructure for reuse and desalination plants, especially for harder-to-reach areas such as the many smaller islands surrounding the southern coast. As more areas start to experience extended droughts due to environmental changes, water security is expected to become a growing issue for the country.
