Korea Water Resources exports AI water management system to Vietnam
Korea Water Resources Corporation will deploy its AI-powered water treatment system at a major facility in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the first overseas commercial application of the technology.
K-water signed the contract with Kenh Dong JSC, a subsidiary of Ho Chi Minh City's water utility SAWACO, on April 8. The project is valued at approximately 1.1 billion won ($810,000).
What the system does
The AI system automates chemical dosing processes and introduces energy management, plant monitoring, and video-based surveillance at the Kenh Dong water treatment plant. It uses real-time data analysis to optimize operations and reduce costs.
The Kenh Dong plant treats 200,000 cubic meters of water daily and supplies drinking water to roughly 380,000 households in Vietnam's largest economic hub.
Why now
The plant faces mounting pressure from climate change, rising water demand tied to population growth, and industrial expansion. K-water began discussions with Vietnamese authorities in September 2025 to address these operational challenges.
The deal represents a shift in how K-water commercializes its technology abroad. Rather than selling equipment, the company is exporting a full-scale operational solution.
Track record in Korea
K-water developed and tested the system at the Hwaseong water treatment plant in South Korea. The company has since expanded AI for operations across 43 large-scale Korean water treatment plants.
Those facilities have achieved annual cost savings of approximately 11 billion won. K-water has also applied the technology at plants operated by Busan Metropolitan City and the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation.
International standards in development
K-water won a global "Lighthouse" award in 2024 for the system. The company is now working to establish ISO 25288, an international standard that could position its AI system as a global benchmark for water treatment operations.
K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae said the Vietnam project demonstrates how Korean water technology can address global operational challenges tied to climate change, energy costs, and workforce shortages.
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