Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) has been recognized for its contributions to water security with a special award at the 2026 CDP Korea Conference. The award acknowledges K-water’s leadership in advancing “water positive” strategies, mirroring initiatives adopted by global tech giants like Google and Microsoft, and signals a growing focus on corporate responsibility for water resource management in South Korea.
The CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), a global non-profit organization, evaluates companies’ climate change responses and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies, providing data to financial institutions, and investors. The CDP Korea Committee has been recognizing companies contributing to sustainability since 2011. This year, recognizing the increasing importance of water security amid climate change and rising industrial demand, the committee introduced a special award in this field, with K-water as its inaugural recipient.
K-water’s success stems from its collaborative approach, fostering partnerships between public, private, and governmental entities to expand corporate participation in real ESG activities and promote the adoption of water positive practices. Water positive signifies a commitment by companies to restore more water than they consume, a crucial step towards sustainable water management. The concept of water security, as defined by K-water and recognized by the CDP, encompasses the ability to reliably secure and manage water resources for a sustainable society and economy – increasingly recognized as a key competitive advantage for businesses.
K-water and Microsoft Partner on Landmark Water Restoration Project
A key component of K-water’s water positive strategy is its recent partnership with Microsoft, announced in August 2025. Microsoft selected K-water as its first official domestic water restoration partner, solidifying a commitment to achieving water positive status by 2030 across all its global operations. Business Korea reports that this collaboration marks the first official partnership linked to the operation of Microsoft’s data centers in Seoul and Busan.
The initial joint project will focus on the Soyang River basin, upstream of the Soyang Dam in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. K-water will lead the design and execution of an artificial wetland designed to improve the water quality of the river flowing into the dam. The project aims to reduce non-point source pollution – including suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus – by approximately 30%, restoring an estimated 340,000 tons of water annually. This restored volume is equivalent to the daily water usage of approximately one million people, according to DT News24.
Microsoft will fully fund the wetland’s construction and ongoing maintenance, demonstrating a significant investment in local water resource management. This partnership represents the first instance of a direct collaboration between a global corporation and a public institution in South Korea to implement water restoration efforts, and is seen as a starting point for building an ESG-based public-private ecosystem.
Expanding the ‘Water Positive’ Model in Korea
K-water’s efforts align with a broader trend of corporations adopting water positive goals. As highlighted by Today Energy, K-water is actively working to facilitate the domestic adoption of the water positive model, already practiced by companies like Google and Microsoft. This involves forming collaborative bodies with government agencies and tailoring water restoration projects to the specific needs of individual businesses.
The recognition from the CDP and the partnership with Microsoft underscore K-water’s pivotal role in addressing South Korea’s growing water security challenges. The company’s proactive approach, combining public sector expertise with private sector investment, positions it as a leader in sustainable water management and a key player in the nation’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Looking ahead, the success of the Soyang River basin project will likely serve as a blueprint for future collaborations and expansion of water positive initiatives across South Korea. The focus will remain on strengthening public-private partnerships and leveraging innovative technologies to ensure a sustainable and secure water supply for the country’s future. Share your thoughts on the importance of water security in the comments below.
