Transformation of Water & Sanitation in Korea

Jong Ho Ahn, Ph.D./Senior Research Fellow Korea Environment Institute Policy Research GroupDivision of Water Environment

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Case of Korea – Water Supply and Sanitat ion Achievements

• GNI per capita: US$85 (1961) US$26,204 (2012)

• Water supply coverage: from 17% (1961) to 98% (2012)

• Wastewater services coverage: from 2% (1961) to 92% (2012)

• Proper accounting of all costs and revenues of the sector since early reform

• Population concern on environmental pollution forced immediate actions

• GNI per capita: US$85 (1961) US$26,204 (2012)

• Water supply coverage: from 17% (1961) to 98% (2012)

• Wastewater services coverage: from 2% (1961) to 92% (2012)

• Proper accounting of all costs and revenues of the sector since early reform

• Population concern on environmental pollution forced immediate actions

(Source) A Study on the Vision 2050 of Wastewater Policy, MOE,2012.

(Key Success Factors) Government-initiated financial investment and adequate preparation of a water resource management system

Developing water resources

Introducing WWT system

Expanding sewer system

Expanding national water supply networks

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Important Government's Roles in Success

Regarding water sector development as an integral part of the transformation

of the economy

Implementing the laws, regulations, institutions, and financial resources

Strongly pushing through monitoring and reporting for progress

Case of Korea – Lessons learnt

What has worked well

The water infrastructure has been developed in accordance with a plan to promote the economic development.

The investment in water infrastructure at the initial stage of economic development was possible thanks to foreign aid.

Investment in water sector requires activities and economic investment, and these efforts have contributed to technology development and job creation, either directly or indirectly.

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Case of Korea – The New Vil lage Movement “Sae-Maeul Undong” * “Sae-Maeul Undong”

Incubated Initiative by the Leadership Principles: Diligence, Self-reliance, and Cooperation Simple to multiple benefits to fight rural poverty - From improving basic livelihood infrastructure To income growth Vertical coordination & Horizontal integration - Three actors : president, central-local government, village (leader and community) - Education, evaluation, competition, reward, pride

Water

Feces

Water-related Development Operations Irrigation (small reservoir, weir, canal) Water supply system Sewerage network and sanitation facility

☜ Helminth infection rate in the young

students : 71.3% (1971) 0.6% (1991)

Hong et al., 2006 * This slide has been reproduced by courtesy of Dr. IJ Kim.