Korea to build first large seawater desalination plant by 2012

The Republic of Korea is aiming to have its first large seawater desalination plant up and running by August 2012. Sited in the port of Busan, it will use reverse-osmosis technology.

According to a report in the Korea Herald, the capacity of the plant will be 45,000 m³/d, and it will be a joint project between the Busan city government and the Korea Institute of Construction and Transportation Technology Evaluation & Planning.

The Busan government and the state-project assessment body under the Ministry of Land, Transport & Maritime Affairs will invest Won 182.9 billion (US$ 137 million) for the project. Private-sector participants will be Woongjin Chemical Co, World-TEC Co, Hyosung Pump Co and Doosan.

For more information on Korea’s national desalination strategy, see Korea puts US$ 170 million into SWRO and reuse