Samsung Electro-Mechanics Improves River Water Quality with Advanced Treated Effluent... Protecting Ecosystems Including 'Origa Family'

Our ESG Initiative 'MESSAGE'

Contributing to Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration of Woncheon-ri Stream

Releasing Purified Water Equivalent to Two Ilsan Lakes Annually

Carbon Reduction, Water Resource Protection, and Zero Waste Landfill

A family of ducks living near Woncheon-ri Stream close to Samsung Electro-Mechanics' Suup plant. (Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 26th that it applies advanced treatment methods to all the water used by the company, discharging 1 million tons of purified water annually into the nearby Woncheon-ri Stream, contributing to the protection of the ecosystem.

In front of the back gate of Samsung Electro-Mechanics in Maetan-dong, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, at Woncheon-ri Stream, also known as 'Woncheoncheon,' about ten ducks were leisurely swimming. They are a rare and welcome sight in Woncheon-ri Stream. Why did they come? Thanks to the increased and cleaner water. Along with the ducks, fish such as crucian carp and mudfish have also increased. Water birds have also visited. Thus, the ecosystem of Suwon's Woncheon-ri Stream has become abundant.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics explained that as part of its ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management activities called 'MESSAGE,' it discharges purified water into the nearby stream. The Suwon plant thoroughly purifies the used water through three stages. The clean water is pumped upstream into the stream and released. The concentration of pollutants in the water discharged by the Suwon plant into Woncheon-ri Stream is managed according to internal standards within 30% of legal limits. Not only is the pollution concentration monitored in real-time, but all data is also shared with the Ministry of Environment.

Woncheon-ri Stream was classified as Class 3 water. The discharged water from Samsung Electro-Mechanics is cleaner than Class 2 water. The combination of the two reduced the pollutant concentration in the stream by about 18%, improving the water quality to Class 2. This is thanks to the discharged water merging with Woncheon-ri Stream and reducing the pollutant concentration by approximately 18% (COD, Chemical Oxygen Demand).

Samsung Electro-Mechanics explained that thanks to the discharged water, the ecosystem of Woncheon-ri Stream is recovering. It prevents the stream from drying up during droughts (desiccation) and ensures continuous water flow to prevent odors. The amount of water Samsung Electro-Mechanics discharges into Woncheon-ri Stream is about 1 million tons annually, enough to fill Ilsan Lake Park twice. Narrowing it down to a daily basis, it is an amount that 13 million adults could drink in one day.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics also announced that it introduces the company's ESG activities on the YouTube channel 'MESSAGE from Samsung Electro-Mechanics.' This conveys the company's various ESG activities in messages that the public can relate to. The first episode, focusing on water resources, was released on the 23rd. It explains the process of treating the water used by Samsung Electro-Mechanics and activities to improve stream water quality. Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to introduce ESG management activities on topics such as air and waste through YouTube, targeting the MZ generation.

Jang Deokhyun, CEO of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, said, "ESG management activities are emerging as a crucial factor determining the fate of companies," adding, "Samsung Electro-Mechanics has set 'Sustainable Challenges for a Better Earth and Life' as its ESG management mission and plans to actively engage in ESG practices together with the local community."