Topic of the Month

AI Water Treatment Plant Setting the Global Standard for Water Management

K-water is accelerating its efforts to lead the global water market with its “AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology,” which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into plant operations to detect abnormal water quality caused by climate change, optimize treatment processes, and minimize energy consumption. This groundbreaking technology is redefining the paradigm of water management and setting new benchmarks worldwide.

Text by. Editorial Team
  • AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology Gains Rapid Momentum in International Standardization
    In July, Korea became the first in the world to develop and demonstrate the “AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology,” which was officially approved as an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Working Draft. K-water achieved this critical milestone in establishing international standards a mere seven months after submitting its New Work Item Proposal in November 2024. The technology is expected to be finalized as an international standard as early as 2026. All of ISO’s 174 member countries—as well as other nations seeking to introduce AI-based water treatment—will be required to follow this standard once adopted. Such milestone is expected to accelerate the global spread of Korean water management technology and serve as a crucial gateway for domestic companies entering overseas markets.

    K-water has also launched the process of acquiring Blue Dot Network (BDN) certification, a global infrastructure initiative operated by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). BDN recognizes infrastructure projects that meet the highest standards in sustainability, resilience, economic efficiency, and transparency, providing investors with a reliable signal and playing a pivotal role in attracting investment for infrastructure projects. OECD’s official review of the AI Water Treatment Plant is currently underway, with the certification expected as early as November.
    Chemical Dosing Building analyzed, adjusted, and operated by AI – Hwaseong Water Treatment Plant
    Panoramic view of Hwaseong Water Treatment Plant
  • A Future-Oriented Plant Operated by Humans and AI Together
    The AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology has been developed since 2020 as part of the Smart Water Management Project jointly promoted with the Ministry of Environment. The goal is to minimize human error, ensure stable supply of safe drinking water, and reduce production costs through operational optimization by applying big data and AI across all treatment processes.

    The AI water treatment plant is operated based on four core technologies: autonomous operation, energy management, predictive maintenance, and video-based safety. Autonomous operation involves detecting abnormal water quality across the entire process from intake to supply, with AI analyzing and adjusting the chemical dosing. Energy management involves predicting water demand by time of day, analyzing real-time electricity use, and calculating the optimal booster pump capacity required for facility operation; thus minimizing energy consumption. Predictive maintenance includes analyzing real-time data from key facilities to detect anomalies and supporting the decision-making process for preventive maintenance to improve operational stability and efficiency. Video-based safety technology combines AI-based video analytics and automated CCTV tracking with existing monitoring sensors to quickly detect hazards such as fire, leak, and electric shock, ensuring worker safety.
    Quadrupedal intelligent robot deployed in high-risk work areas
    Applying AI technology across its entire operations, the smart AI water treatment plant is classified into three stages depending on the level of AI integration. In Stage 1 as the initial autonomous operation stage, staff and AI work together under normal conditions; in the event of an “anormaly” or a “crisis” situation, however, the staff respond independently. In Stage 2 as the advanced autonomous operation stage, AI and staff jointly respond to anomalies such as facility malfunctions or changes in water quality. In Stage 3 as the fully autonomous operation stage, AI supports staff’s decision making through a conversational AI system even in the event of "crisis" situations such as accidents and disasters. The Stage 1 technology of the smart AI water treatment plant was demonstrated at the Hwaseong Water Treatment Plant and was subsequently introduced for implementation at 43 regional water treatment plants nationwide in 2024. K-water plans to advance the smart AI water treatment plant to the fully autonomous operation stage based on generative AI by 2030.

    Along with this, quadrupedal intelligent robots will be deployed in high-risk work areas of water treatment plants including facility inspection, diagnotics, and accident response. This is aimed at overcoming the limitations of manpower-based operations such as exposure to risks caused by physical and cognitive constraints, as well as challenges related to aging and inexperienced workers at sites with numerous hazards such as mixed facilities and underground spaces. The intelligent robots enhance work safety through autonomous driving, operation in designated areas, and integration of various sensors while also digitalizing facility and equipment conditions such as leak and fire for data generation. By linking this data with facility management systems and analyzing it, K-water will realize a data-driven diagnostic and inspection system that is expected to evolve into a leading "physical AI" model in the water supply sector that integrates sensors, AI, and robots.
    The AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology has been developed since 2020 as part of the Smart Water Management Project jointly promoted with the Ministry of Environment. The goal is to minimize human error, ensure stable supply of safe drinking water, and reduce production costs through operational optimization by applying big data and AI across all treatment processes.

    The AI water treatment plant is operated based on four core technologies: autonomous operation, energy management, predictive maintenance, and video-based safety. Autonomous operation involves detecting abnormal water quality across the entire process from intake to supply, with AI analyzing and adjusting the chemical dosing. Energy management involves predicting water demand by time of day, analyzing real-time electricity use, and calculating the optimal booster pump capacity required for facility operation; thus minimizing energy consumption. Predictive maintenance includes analyzing real-time data from key facilities to detect anomalies and supporting the decision-making process for preventive maintenance to improve operational stability and efficiency. Video-based safety technology combines AI-based video analytics and automated CCTV tracking with existing monitoring sensors to quickly detect hazards such as fire, leak, and electric shock, ensuring worker safety.

    Applying AI technology across its entire operations, the smart AI water treatment plant is classified into three stages depending on the level of AI integration. In Stage 1 as the initial autonomous operation stage, staff and AI work together under normal conditions; in the event of an “anormaly” or a “crisis” situation, however, the staff respond independently. In Stage 2 as the advanced autonomous operation stage, AI and staff jointly respond to anomalies such as facility malfunctions or changes in water quality. In Stage 3 as the fully autonomous operation stage, AI supports staff’s decision making through a conversational AI system even in the event of "crisis" situations such as accidents and disasters. The Stage 1 technology of the smart AI water treatment plant was demonstrated at the Hwaseong Water Treatment Plant and was subsequently introduced for implementation at 43 regional water treatment plants nationwide in 2024. K-water plans to advance the smart AI water treatment plant to the fully autonomous operation stage based on generative AI by 2030.

    Along with this, quadrupedal intelligent robots will be deployed in high-risk work areas of water treatment plants including facility inspection, diagnotics, and accident response. This is aimed at overcoming the limitations of manpower-based operations such as exposure to risks caused by physical and cognitive constraints, as well as challenges related to aging and inexperienced workers at sites with numerous hazards such as mixed facilities and underground spaces. The intelligent robots enhance work safety through autonomous driving, operation in designated areas, and integration of various sensors while also digitalizing facility and equipment conditions such as leak and fire for data generation. By linking this data with facility management systems and analyzing it, K-water will realize a data-driven diagnostic and inspection system that is expected to evolve into a leading "physical AI" model in the water supply sector that integrates sensors, AI, and robots.
    Quadrupedal intelligent robot deployed in high-risk work areas
  • Driving Global Leadership by Exporting Advanced Water Management Technology
    K-water’s AI water treatment plant operation technology has already gained significant recognition both domestically and internationally. In January 2024, it was named by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the first-ever “Global Lighthouse Plant” in the public service sector including water management; thus attracting attention worldwide. The technology is credited with boosting workforce management efficiency, contributing to carbon neutrality through reduced energy use, lowering maintenance costs, and shortening the crisis response time.

    Unlike previous Lighthouse Plants that mainly applied AI to partial process automation or error detection, the AI water treatment plant integrates AI across all operational processes functioning as a command center for comprehensive decision making. Such advanced model of process management was further recognized in November 2024 when it was named one of Korea’s “Top 10 Mechanical Technologies of the Year,” confirming anew that K-water is leading the development of water management technologies in response to the era’s challenges of climate crisis and digital transformation.

    As extreme weather intensifies and hi-tech industries continue to grow, industrial water demand is also increasing and water resource management is becoming increasingly complex. K-water’s unmatched expertise in water management is now expanding beyond Korea to global markets. On the domestic front, the company is reviewing the introduction of the AI water treatment plant at 355 local treatment plants to address pressing issues such as aging infrastructure and shortage of skilled operators. Internationally, K-water is seeking to implement AI technologies in the water supply infrastructure construction project in Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara and in the water supply system operation & maintenance project in Long An Province, Vietnam. K-water is also conducting technical assessments and consultation on standard adoption for countries pursuing digital transformation in water management.

    Collaboration with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specializing in digital technologies—such as AI-based predictive analytics—plays a key role in developing the operation technology. In this context, K-water is strengthening SMEs’ global competitiveness and exploring ways of jointly entering overseas markets by transferring intellectual property for core operational technologies to the private sector. These combined efforts will mark an important turning point for Korea to position itself as a global leader in advanced water management technologies by promoting water technology exports.
    Demonstration of intelligent video-based safety monitoring technology
  • In the Era of Climate Crisis, Water Management Technology Equals National Competitiveness
    The WEF has cited extreme weather as the greatest risk facing humanity over the next decade, with Global Water Intelligence (GWI) forecasting that 69% of global climate-related losses will stem from water-related incidents. As the climate crisis deepens, water is emerging as a key strategic resource for industrial security, with technologies for efficient, stable water management becoming a critical determinant of national competitiveness. Against this backdrop, K-water will continue advancing breakthrough technologies such as AI Water Treatment Plant Operation Technology, digital twins for water management, and smart pipeline networks while driving further innovation. By doing so, it aims to advance Korea’s water industry, secure an early lead in the global water technology market, and support the nation’s emergence as a global AI powerhouse.