K-water partners with AWWA to expand US foothold for Korean water firms

Korea Water Resources Corporation, or K-water, said Tuesday it signed an MOU with the American Water Works Association and the Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association at its Daejeon headquarters to expand global test beds in the US market.

The agreement aims to systematically identify demonstration opportunities based on actual demand in the US and strengthen the foundation for Korean water companies to enter the American market.

Under the deal, K-water will oversee overall support for test-bed demonstrations aimed at solving water-related problems in the US.

The American Water Works Association, which has more than 4,300 member organizations and over 50,000 professionals, will help expand local networks, including connections with US water utilities. The Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association will handle the discovery of joint demonstration projects and support overseas cooperation networks. The three organizations plan to build an organic cooperation system by combining their respective expertise and networks.

"We hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity to verify the applicability of Korean water technology in the US market and expand the foundation for market entry," said Yoon Seok-dae, president of K-water. "Building on the water management experience and technological capabilities we have accumulated over the past 60 years, K-water will support Korean water companies' local demonstrations and commercialization efforts, contributing to strengthening the international competitiveness of Korea's water industry."