K-water to share water management knowhow at Water Forum

Employees of K-water take part in a simulated exercise for a flood in this file photo. K-water is presenting its smart water management initiative based on ICT at the World Water Forum in Daegu, which runs from April 12 to 17. / Courtesy of K-water

By Yoon Ja-young

Half of the world’s population will suffer from water shortages after 2025, according to the World Water Development Report issued by the United Nations.

It is obvious that the future depends on how people will properly manage water.

K-water, the country’s water resource management company, will offer its “smart water management” program as a solution at the weeklong World Water Forum that will begin in Daegu, Sunday.

At the event held every three years by the World Water Council, policymakers and experts from around the world gather to discuss how to tackle water-related issues. At this year’s forum, around 35,000 people from 180 countries are participating.

The event is getting a lot of attention because of increasing global awareness about water issues.

The World Economic Forum, more widely known as the Davos Forum, chose the water crisis as the top global risk in terms of impact, defining it as a social issue that is related to the quality of life.

It includes climate changes leading to rising sea levels, as well as floods and droughts. Megacities and increasing populations are making water shortages more serious.

K-water said it will present its smart water management initiative (SWMI) as a solution at the forum. In the SWMI, the whole process of water management, from water sources to end users, is based on information and communication technology (ICT).

K-water plans to advance into the global water management market based on its smart water management technology.

“Currently, Korean companies have been only involved in construction projects for water infrastructure abroad. We, however, aim at opening overseas markets by exporting high-value adding technology based on SWMI,” a spokesman for K-water said.

According to 2012 statistics, only 0.4 percent of water project orders won by Korean companies overseas were related to “technology issues.”

Most of all, K-water believes its integrated dam operation system and smart water city model will have a competitive edge in the export market. It will operate a promotional booth exhibiting how it applies ICT to water resource management.

K-water will share its expertise and research at diverse sessions of the forum as well.

At the session on effective governance, K-water will present how it has enhanced participation of diverse parties in water management, such as getting consent from residents in building dams and supporting the residents. Its knowhow in coordinating diverse conflicting interests is also what K-water wants to share with others.

It will also present how it adopted green growth in developing water resources, broadening its focus from economic development to include environmentally and socially sustainable development.

“As the leader in green growth, Korea has wisely overcome environmental problems in water management. We want to share our experience and knowhow with other countries to tackle water issues,” the K-water spokesman said.

After the forum, K-water says it will continue setting up its global network based on international cooperation. It plans to set up the Asia Water Education Network to tackle water problems in Southeast Asia, as well as starting global joint research.