K-water to Demonstrate Activated Carbon Regeneration Technology in Virginia, USA

[Financial News] Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) announced on the 7th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 6th (local time) at the HRSD SWIFT Research Center in the Commonwealth of Virginia to conduct a local performance evaluation of domestic activated carbon regeneration technology.
This agreement is a tripartite collaboration among K-water, Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and domestic water company Wintec Glovis. It aims to verify the applicability of domestic Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) regeneration technology in the U.S. GAC is a key advanced water treatment material that adsorbs and removes trace contaminants that are difficult to eliminate with conventional water purification processes. The availability of regeneration technology is crucial for operational efficiency and cost reduction.
Key points of the agreement include: installation of a pilot GAC regeneration facility in the U.S.; performance evaluation targeting effluent from water and wastewater treatment facilities; and technical cooperation and information exchange to assess the applicability of the SWIFT project.
The United States relies heavily on groundwater for its drinking water supply. However, concerns about water quality safety are rising due to recent drought-induced groundwater shortages and the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In response, the Commonwealth of Virginia is promoting the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) project, which aims to enhance water supply stability by reusing effluent from wastewater treatment plants.
In the SWIFT project, ensuring water quality safety during effluent reuse is a core task, and advanced treatment processes using activated carbon are being implemented. HRSD is considering the introduction of activated carbon regeneration technology to improve the operational efficiency of these processes. The organization has requested technical cooperation from K-water, which is expanding advanced water treatment facilities and building activated carbon regeneration facilities.
Through this demonstration, K-water aims to enhance the credibility of its technology and establish a bridgehead for the overseas expansion of Korea’s water industry. Moon Sukju, Head of the Water Division at K-water, stated, "By leveraging our water management expertise and international network, we will continue to increase the overseas applicability of domestic water technology and expand the global reach of the water industry."

en1302@fnnews.com Jang In-seo Reporter