AI Water Management Emerges as a Solution to Climate Crisis, K-water Accelerates Digital Transformation

As climate change increases the risks of water disasters such as floods and droughts, the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) is developing a digital water management system utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative aims to enhance response capabilities across all aspects of water management, from flood forecasting to water treatment plant operations.

According to industry sources on June 17, K-water is focusing on innovation in water management through a digital twin water management platform and an AI-based autonomous operation system for water treatment plants. The digital twin platform simulates real rivers, dams, and watershed environments in a virtual space, using AI to predict weather changes and inflow rates.

Notably, the AI-driven real-time weather and inflow prediction technology, combined with a three-dimensional digital virtual environment, can analyze up to 48 discharge scenarios simultaneously. This allows for pre-simulation of various situations to derive optimal discharge strategies, thereby enhancing flood response capabilities. In January, it was highlighted as a representative case of disaster response in an official report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) introduced by OpenAI.

AI applications are also expanding in the operation of water treatment plants. The AI-based autonomous operation system automatically adjusts chemical dosing and operational conditions based on changes in water quality, enabling real-time responses to variations in raw water quality due to seasonal and weather conditions. Currently, it is being utilized in 43 metropolitan water treatment plants nationwide, resulting in approximately 11 billion won in operational cost savings last year.

The digital twin water management platform and the AI-based autonomous operation system for water treatment plants were recently ranked first and third, respectively, in the Ministry of Economy and Finance's 'Top 10 Public Institution Innovation Projects' evaluation. Building on these achievements, K-water plans to leverage the digital twin water management platform and AI water treatment systems to expand its overseas business.

Yoon Suk-dae, President of K-water, stated, "Through the advancement of AI water management technology and the expansion of the industrial ecosystem, we will elevate the water industry as a core pillar of the super-innovation economy and play a key role in making Korea a global AI powerhouse."