Kim Sung-hwan vows uninterrupted water supply for semiconductor complex via 300,000-ton sewage reuse plan

Kim Sung-hwan, minister of climate, environment and energy, said Friday that the government will work closely with local authorities and businesses to build a system capable of supplying 300,000 tons of recycled sewage water per day without disruption.

Kim made the remarks during a visit to Gwangju No. 1 Sewage Treatment Plant in South Jeolla Province, where he reviewed plans for reusing treated wastewater to support the region's emerging semiconductor industry.

"With water supply uncertainty growing due to climate change, the treated wastewater from Gwangju No. 1 Sewage Treatment Plant is a vital water resource that can serve as industrial water for the Honam region semiconductor industrial complex," Kim said. "We will work to secure a stable water supply for the nation's advanced industries while at the same time improving water quality in the Yeongsan River."

The plant sits about 3 kilometers from the planned site of the Honam region semiconductor industrial complex and processes approximately 600,000 tons of sewage per day. Facility upgrades are currently underway to further improve the quality of treated water before it is discharged into the Yeongsan River.

The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy plans to install sewage reuse facilities at the plant to produce and supply 300,000 tons of industrial water per day.

The actual volume, timing and water quality requirements for each phase of supply will be determined through consultations with local governments and businesses, taking into account the semiconductor complex's development schedule and corporate water demand.

Recycled sewage water is already used as industrial water across a range of sectors in South Korea, including steel, electronics and heavy chemicals, and supply projects centered on the semiconductor industry have been gaining momentum in recent years.

Chipmakers are expanding water reuse on multiple fronts — drawing on externally supplied recycled sewage water while also treating water used in their own manufacturing processes for reuse within those same processes.

TSMC, the Taiwan-based chipmaker, also uses recycled sewage water supplied through a government-built distribution system in its production processes.

The ministry plans to expand treated wastewater reuse at large-scale water consumers such as industrial complexes, and will move forward with state-led installation and operation of wastewater reuse facilities in water-vulnerable areas under a law on promoting and supporting water reuse that takes effect Dec. 10.