국가물산업클러스터KOREA WATER CLUSTER
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Sewage: Becoming a Resource of the Future
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Discovery Zone
Sewage: Becoming a Resource of the Future
Returning Water / Sewage
Introduction to the Step-by-Step Sewage Treatment Process Until Domestic Sewage is Discharged into Rivers,
Divided into Primary, Secondary, and Advanced Treatment
1.What is Sewage?
- - Sewage refers to the drainage, treatment, and discharge of water used in daily life, which is then returned to nature. It is the water discharged from the water supply system after being used in households, restaurants, and industries. In a sewage system, the water released after use is called "sewage."
- - Sewage is water that is discharged from basic daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and using the bathroom. It contains organic matter and solids, which are key characteristics of sewage water. In contrast, water discharged from industrial activities or other non-daily life sources is classified as wastewater.
- - Urban sewage systems play a crucial role in improving living environments, enhancing public hygiene, revitalizing rivers and streams, and preventing flooding.
2.Sewage Treatment Process
- - Wastewater discarded from households, restaurants, and other places is collected in drains and connected to sewage pipes, which then transport the wastewater to the sewage treatment plant.
Primary Treatment
- ① Screening : The process of removing large debris such as sand and tree branches from the wastewater.
- ② Primary Sedimentation : After screening, the wastewater is sent to a primary sedimentation tank where suspended solids are allowed to settle, and the water is sent to the biological treatment tank.
Secondary Treatment
- ① Aeration Tank (Biological Reaction Tank) : This is the most crucial step in sewage treatment, where microorganisms absorb the pollutants dissolved in the water.
- ② Secondary Sedimentation Tank : Microorganisms that have absorbed pollutants grow larger and settle out, leaving the water clearer.
Tertiary Treatment (Advanced Treatment)
- ① Tertiary Treatment Facility : The treated water passes through fine mesh or other filtering media for further purification.
- ② Disinfection Tank : The water is disinfected using ultraviolet (UV) light to kill harmful bacteria.
3.Returning Water / Sewage Experience
- - Experience the sewage treatment process at each stage through AR videos on a tablet
Discovery Zone
Sewage: Becoming a Resource of the Future
Household Sewage
Introducing the main pollutants and discharge methods of household sewage,
which accounts for over 60% of daily generated wastewater,
as well as the amount of water needed to purify the contaminated water.
1.Characteristics of Household Sewage
- - Household sewage, originating from domestic households, commercial establishments, and other daily activities, contributes to pollution. After going through the treatment process at wastewater treatment plants, household sewage is discharged into rivers, streams, or oceans through sewage pipes.
- - While household sewage is not highly toxic, it has a large pollution load, a significant volume, and widely dispersed pollution sources, making its treatment costly.
- - The main pollutants in household sewage are food waste, synthetic detergents, and human waste. Of household sewage, 36% comes from kitchens, 30% from bathrooms, 23% from baths, and 11% from laundry.
- - The food waste from kitchens contains the highest amount of organic matter.
- - Household sewage is responsible for about 60% of the pollution in rivers, making it a major contributor to water quality degradation.
2. Major Water Pollution Causes
- ① Food Waste
- ☞When food waste enters water, it increases the number of aerobic microorganisms that decompose it. As these microorganisms break down the remaining organic matter, hydrogen sulfide and methane gases are released, causing strong odors in the water.
- ☞Additionally, as organic matter is decomposed by aerobic microorganisms, the dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water decreases, making it difficult for oxygen-dependent organisms to survive. This reduction in oxygen also leads to a decrease in aerobic microorganisms, while anaerobic microorganisms, which can thrive in oxygen-deprived environments, increase.
- ② Used Cooking Oil
- ☞Used cooking oil not only contaminates the water but also forms a layer of oil on the surface, preventing oxygen from dissolving into the water. This leads to oxygen depletion and disrupts the aquatic ecosystem.
- ③ Human Waste
- ☞The nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in human waste can promote the excessive growth of plant plankton in the water. This process is known as eutrophication.
- ☞Eutrophication leads to the consumption of dissolved oxygen in the water, causing oxygen shortages and the death of aquatic organisms. Additionally, the proliferation of algae makes the water cloudy and changes its color.
- ☞Eutrophication in oceans is referred to as "red tide," which can result in massive die-offs of marine life, such as shellfish and fish.
- ④ Synthetic Detergents
- ☞The surfactants and phosphates in synthetic detergents dissolve in water and create foam, which is a major cause of water pollution.
- ☞Surfactants, petroleum-based synthetic substances, are toxic to ecosystems and can be carcinogenic. The foam on the surface of the water blocks oxygen from entering, disrupting the aquatic ecosystem by preventing oxygen from dissolving into the water.
3. Ways to Reduce Household Sewage
- ① Use a cup when brushing your teeth.
- ② Reduce shower time.
- ③ Wash clothes in a full load.
- ④ Use a basin when washing dishes.
- ⑤ Turn off the faucet while lathering with soap.
- ⑥ Reuse water left over from baths.
Discovery Zone
Sewage: Becoming a Resource of the Future
Strict Wastewater Management
The Nakdong River phenol contamination incident serves as a critical example of the importance of managing industrial wastewater and understanding the risks associated with pollutants in water.
This event highlighted the need for stringent control and monitoring of industrial wastewater to prevent environmental damage and public health hazards.
1.What is Industrial Wastewater?
- - Wastewater refers to water that contains liquid or solid pollutants, making it unsuitable for direct use. Among the different types of wastewater, industrial wastewater refers to the wastewater generated from various industrial activities.
- - Compared to domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater is usually produced in smaller quantities and has a higher treatment rate. However, it contains a wide range of high concentrations of pollutants and hazardous substances, which can cause significant environmental issues such as water and soil contamination. Therefore, it is regulated by laws.
- - Industrial facilities generating wastewater must install wastewater treatment facilities. In the case of individual factories, they must also set up pollution prevention systems to treat wastewater according to discharge standards before releasing it into rivers or other water bodies.
Main Pollutants in Industrial Wastewater
- ① Chemical Substances
- : Chemicals such as fluoride and phenols can dissolve into water, contaminating it. These substances are especially harmful when they enter living organisms, leading to a variety of diseases.
- ② Heavy Metals
- : Industrial wastewater often contains heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc. These heavy metals do not easily exit the body once they enter, accumulating in the system and causing serious health problems over time.
2.Industrial Wastewater Generation Status
- - Looking at the current status of industrial wastewater discharge, the number of wastewater discharge facilities has gradually increased, maintaining around 50,000 facilities. As a result, the volume of industrial wastewater discharged has steadily increased, maintaining a daily discharge of approximately 4 million tons.
- - As the amount of industrial wastewater increases, the risk of damage to aquatic ecosystems grows. Therefore, the expansion of wastewater treatment costs and facilities is essential for proper purification.
- - Wastewater discharge facilities refer to structures, machinery, and equipment that release wastewater containing harmful substances or heavy metals. These facilities are closely linked to industries that are vital to daily life, so it is not feasible to completely prevent wastewater discharge. However, the Ministry of Environment manages industrial wastewater through regulations such as Wastewater Discharge Facility Installation Permits and Reporting, and Pollution Prevention Facility Installations.
3.Ministry of Environment’s Industrial Wastewater Management
- ① Establishment of Discharge Standards for Water Pollutants
- ☞ To achieve environmental standards for public water bodies, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has set "Discharge Standards for Water Pollutants".
- ☞ These standards consider water quality grades and allow discharge limits based on the size of facilities and the regional characteristics of the water body.
- ② System for Monitoring Discharge of Specific Harmful Water Pollutants
- ☞ This system applies to businesses that have obtained permits for wastewater discharge facilities. It requires these businesses to submit, verify, and disclose the amount of specific harmful substances discharged beyond prescribed limits.
- ☞ Specific harmful substances include copper, lead, arsenic, mercury, cyanide, and, starting from 2019, additional substances such as acrylamide, styrene, bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, and antimony, bringing the total number of monitored substances to 32.
- ③ Recycling of Treated Wastewater
- ☞ In addition to reducing pollutants, treated wastewater is recycled for uses such as industrial water, landscaping water, and non-potable water for restrooms.
- ☞ For example, at the Gajwa Sewage Treatment Plant in Incheon, up to 19,600 tons/day of industrial wastewater is recycled. The quality of the recycled water does not fall below that of drinking water.
4.Nakdong River Phenol Contamination Incident
- - In 1991, at Doosan Electronics in the Gumi Industrial Complex in Gyeongsangbuk-do, phenol was released into the Nakdong River twice: 30 tons on March 14 and 1.3 tons on April 22. This incident led to the contamination of the Nakdong River, which serves as a drinking water source for the Yeongnam region.
- - The Nakdong River phenol spill prompted a significant public discussion about drinking water testing standards and raised awareness about water quality issues and the safety of drinking water. It also heightened societal concern about the environmental impact of industrial activities and emphasized the importance of environmental protection.
Phenol Contamination Incident
Timeline in the Nakdong River
Discovery Zone
Sewage: Becoming a Resource of the Future
New Energy Source
Introduction to the Various Reuses of Wastewater:
Energy from Wastewater Heat, Sludge Utilization, and Methane Gas Recycling from Sludge Treatment Processes
1.Wastewater Sludge Gas Power Generation
- - Sludge refers to the impurities generated during various stages of wastewater treatment.
- - Sludge often contains a range of harmful substances, such as heavy metals, and requires special treatment. After undergoing a series of complex processes, including concentration, digestion, dewatering, drying, and incineration, the sludge is ultimately disposed of.
- - With the ongoing expansion of sewer maintenance and wastewater treatment plant construction projects, the amount of wastewater sludge is steadily increasing each year. As of 2016, more than 3.5 million tons of sludge are generated annually.
- - Following the implementation of the London Convention Protocol in 1996, which significantly strengthened regulations on the marine discharge of waste, the ocean disposal of sewage sludge and livestock waste was fully banned starting in 2012. This has led to an increased demand for alternative sludge treatment technologies to replace landfilling and marine disposal.
- - The solid waste sludge remaining after wastewater treatment undergoes anaerobic digestion to reduce its volume.
- - Through the action of microorganisms, the volume of sludge is reduced, and gases such as methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ammonia (NH₃) are produced. These gases are collected and stored in tanks, where they can be reused as fuel for digesters or for heating boilers.
2.Wastewater Heat Energy
- - Among the untapped urban energy sources, wastewater heat energy is considered one of the most valuable. It utilizes the heat from wastewater generated in homes, factories, and other establishments.
- - Since the wastewater flows through underground pipes, it is less affected by outdoor temperatures, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from small-scale heating and cooling in buildings to large-scale district heating and cooling systems.
- - In winter, the water temperature remains around 12°C, while in summer it can reach up to 25°C. The daily temperature fluctuation is about 2°C, meaning the water remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This stable temperature difference makes wastewater a reliable energy source.
- - Heat pumps that use wastewater as a heat source are more efficient than air-source heat pumps because the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the wastewater is greater, enhancing the heat exchange efficiency.
- - With abundant thermal energy and the proximity of heat demand areas, wastewater heat systems require less investment in piping for heat transport, making them cost-effective from an economic perspective.
국가물산업클러스터 GWTHA 회원국 현황
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| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
대한민국 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
정부산하 |
물산업 관련 지원활동 |
| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
미국 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
밀워키 비정부 기관 |
물 관련 혁신 비즈니스 클러스터 |
| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
싱가포르 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
정부산하 |
물 관련 혁신클러스터 |
| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
이스라엘 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
주정부 산하 |
물 기술 촉진자(Accelerator) |
| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
네덜란드 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
주정부 산하 |
물 관련 혁신 비즈니스 클러스터 |
| 국가 | 기관명 |
|---|---|
중국 |
 |
| 형태 | 주요업무 |
장수성 주정부 산하 |
물 관련 혁신클러스터 |
이전
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다음
ZONE1. Water, the Beginning of All Things
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water, the Beginning of All Things | 1-1 | In a round, semicircular theater, play a video that shows the relationship between water and humans, including how water started civilization, urbanization by consuming water, water shortage crisis, and efforts to fix the water circulation | Half circle video theater, projector (produced video) |
ZONE2. Water Intake_Connecting Life
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Resources | 2-1 | Show a model of earth surrounded by water, but clearly show that the amount of water that can be used as resource is limited, and only less than 1% of the entire amount on earth. | Circular model, graphic panel |
| Water Circulation | 2-2 | Graphic panel using line LED to show the large circulation of water including evaporation, condensation to form clouds, precipitation in the form of rain and snow, and water permeating to the surface of the ground, as well as the small circulation of water that circulates with water management technology including water purification, sewage, wastewater, and reuse of water. | Pipe effect, line LED, graphic panel |
| Safe Water Resources | 2-3 | The fundamental measure to supply clean tap water is to preserve water quality of the source. Introduce the Ministry of Environment’s water protection zone policies and the traits of water resources in Korea with graphic panels. | Graphic panel |
ZONE3. Filtered Water_Getting Clean Water
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Filtered Water | 3-1 | Show the water treatment process starting from water from the intake station that becomes purified with 3-D graphic panels and AR videos. | 3-D Graphic panel, Tablet(AR video) |
| Drinking Water, Tap Water | 3-2 | Introduce why we do not drink tap water, how to safely drink tap water, and how drinking tap water can lead to reducing carbon emissions with graphic panels to change awareness of tap water. | Graphic panel |
ZONE4. Waterworks_Flowing to Life
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuable Water | 4-1 | This item allows individuals to experience the way to get water with a water-carrying yoke. It introduces the value of water and water facilities by showing how we use 2 buckets of water that can be gotten only after walking for 4 hours a day. | Yoke experience model, monitor (general video) |
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Veins of the City | 4-2 | With lighting panels, show various technologies related to smart water distribution network that can prevent pollution and water leaks with modernization, in space that symbolizes water management facilities in the city. | Lighting panel, show cross-section of a pipe, sheet cutting |
| Smart Water Management | 4-3 | Show a mini version of the comprehensive surveillance center that looks over the entire water supply process in the city from the water intake to the tap, and build a smart water management(SWM) experience that can monitor the smart water management system and predict and solve risk situations such as the cutoff of water supply. | Touch monitor (Informative video), Monitor (Touch monitor Synch) |
ZONE5. Sewage_Possible Resources of the Future
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Returning Water, Sewage | 5-1 | Show the sewage treatment process in stages with graphics, and place a tablet that plays a AR video about the process of how pollutants are removed from domestic sewage, then released to the streams. | 3-D graphic panels, Tablet (AR video) |
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle and Sewage | 5-2 | Introduce major pollutants of domestic sewage that takes up more than 60% of daily wastewater and sewage, and the amount of water needed to purify polluted water with a lighting panel. | Lighting panel |
| Strict Wastewater Management | 5-3 | Introduce industrial wastewater, which may be relatively smaller in quantity compared to domestic sewage, but releases harmful substances of high concentration levels, as well as major pollutants. Teach individuals about the Nakdonggang River phenol contamination incident that raised the awareness of the importance of water management, and show how industrial wastewater is strictly managed with lighting panels. | Lighting pane |
| New Energy Source | 5-4 | With lighting panels, introduce thermal energy from sewage that uses the temperature difference of sewage, the potential of sewage sludge, how to reuse methane gas that comes from processing sludge, and more ways to reuse sewage that was always thought to be thrown away in response to reducing carbon emissions. | Lighting pane |
ZONE6. Reusing_Finding Value in Wasted Water
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainwater Park(Rest Area) |
6-1 | Create a rainwater experience space and a photo zone with mobiles, sound of rain, mirrors, and lights. Show the need to reuse water with graphic panels, and introduce the LID method that can increase rainwater penetration and undercurrent to protect the natural water cycle with RFID tagging experience. Provide a resting area for the convenience of visitors. |
Rainwater effects (Sound), technology card(RFID), Monitor (Produced video), graphic wall, Relaxing chair |
ZONE7. We Are All Water
| Item | No | Major Content | Major directing media |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Are All Water | 7-1 | Have visitors make a promise with themselves to make efforts to preserve water resources in everyday lives. Create a media effect that looks like the pledge is delivered up to the clouds and the sky. | Touch monitor (Digital Visitors’ Book), Projector (Synch with the Visitors’ Book), Cloud Shape |
7. Promoting Resident Companies - Hall of Fame
닫기
GREEN TECH specializes in pumps. The innovation-leading company produced the IoT pump for the first time in the country.
또한, 미국, 캐나다 유럽에서 펌프 기술
특허와 CE 인증서를 취득하고 국내 최초로 loT 펌프를 제작하여 혁신을 주도하고 있습니다.
물의
가치를 만드는 기업 GREEN TECH!
- 대표제품
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- - 기계식 여과방식 자동역세 이중필터
- - Dual stage Auto Backflushing
ATT Co. specializes in environment meters. With technology partnerships with global companies, ATT Co. succeeded in domesticating environment meters to reduce maintenance costs by 30%. 20년 이상의 관련 분야의 풍부한 노하우와 지속적인 연구 개발을 통해 최고의 제품과 차별화된 서비스를 제공하는 기업이 되겠습니다.
- 대표제품
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- - 총유기탄소 측정기 ATOC-3000
- - 먹는물 측정기 ATW-300
Midni specializes in water treatment that provides Total Water Treatment Solution including liquid filters, purification systems, underwater treatment systems, and industrial water treatment services.
- 대표제품
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- - 기계식 여과방식 자동역세 이중필터
- - Dual stage Auto Backflushing
1961 Korea’s first water-related act, comprehensive plan related to waterworks
닫기
Korea’s first water-related act, comprehensive plan related to waterworks
1989 Built a comprehensive plan to supply clean water with the tap water pollution incident
닫기
Built a comprehensive plan to supply clean water with the tap water pollution incident
1998 Start of the special comprehensive plan to manage water quality from the Han River water source
닫기
Start of the special comprehensive plan to manage water quality from the Han River water source
