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Mayor Park Heong-joon: “AI Is Key to the Future of Water Management”… Launch of Korea’s First AI Water Purification Plant for Local Waterworks

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Busan Metropolitan City Water Authority (hereinafter referred to as “the Authority”) announced that it will hold a project kickoff briefing on April 16 at 2:00 p.m. at its headquarters to begin the construction of Korea’s first AI-based water purification plant for local waterworks at the Myeongjang Water Purification Plant.

The “AI Water Purification Plant Construction Project” incorporates advanced technologies powered by artificial intelligence, including real-time process automation control and big data-based water quality management. The project features autonomous plant operation, smart energy management, predictive maintenance systems, and intelligent video surveillance.

Through this initiative, it will become possible to efficiently produce high-quality tap water while stabilizing water treatment processes. It is also expected to minimize operational errors and prevent safety accidents through intelligent video monitoring.

As a follow-up to last year’s agreement on artificial intelligence transformation (AX) signed among Busan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and Korea Water Resources Corporation, the Authority initiated AI consulting on March 19 and conducted its first on-site inspection.

During the inspection, major water treatment processes—including sedimentation basins, filtration facilities, ozone treatment facilities, chemical dosing systems, and pumping stations—were examined. The city plans to establish an AX strategy that includes diagnosing existing infrastructure levels and enabling autonomous operation systems.

After completing the consulting phase, construction of AI infrastructure—linked with the reconstruction of the Myeongjang Water Purification Plant—is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, with completion targeted for 2029.

In addition, the city will participate in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s core technology R&D project for energy demand management. By introducing AI- and digital twin-based operational technologies by 2028, it aims to maximize energy-saving effects.

Once the AI-based Myeongjang Water Purification Plant is completed, it is expected to enhance the stability of water treatment processes and contribute to the production of high-quality tap water. It will also reduce annual operating costs—such as chemicals and electricity—by approximately 5 percent, thereby providing improved services to citizens.

Building on this initiative, the city plans to apply AI technologies to future modernization projects for aging water purification plants, enabling more efficient and stable production of high-quality tap water alongside advanced water treatment processes.

Meanwhile, the Authority will also present exemplary cases—including the Busan AI water purification plant and asset management systems—at a briefing session for local governments hosted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment at 2:00 p.m. today (April 2) at the Korea Railroad Corporation auditorium in Daejeon.

With approximately 200 water supply officials from across the country in attendance, Busan Metropolitan City will share its leading cases in water management, including the nation’s first AI water purification plant for local waterworks and its asset management system, thereby taking the lead in digital transformation.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “To address the dilemmas facing the Water Authority, such as rising electricity costs and the retirement of experienced operational personnel, the adoption of AI-based water management technologies is essential. We will continue to pursue smart innovation by introducing AI agents even in water administration and by implementing the AI water purification plant as planned, in order to provide citizens with safer and cleaner tap water.”