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DRBC Hosts South Korean Environmental Officials

DRBC recently hosted a delegation of 12 public officials from the Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association (KWWA) and their translator at the commission’s West Trenton headquarters. The group was in the United States for training and research purposes.

Communications Manager Clarke Rupert and Water Resource Modeling Manager Namsoo Suk, Ph.D. provided an overview of the Delaware River Basin as well as DRBC’s history, programs, and responsibilities. Both staff members fielded numerous questions from the delegation during the two-hour long visit, and Dr. Suk also assisted with translation services.

When it was learned that the delegation would be attending the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia during their U.S. visit, DRBC staff spent a few minutes explaining the commission’s water audit approach to identify and control water loss in the basin. This relatively new approach is consistent with the International Water Association (IWA) and AWWA Water Audit Methodology that is considered a best management practice in water loss control. DRBC is one of a handful of regulatory agencies in the United States that has changed its regulations to reflect the improved approach to water loss accounting made possible by the IWA/AWWA methodology. AWWA’s free water audit software provides an effective, standardized structure to perform a water audit consistent with DRBC’s new regulations. Additional information can be found on the DRBC’s web site.

According to information provided to the DRBC, KWWA is a non-profit organization supervised under the Ministry of Environment in the Republic of Korea. Its objectives include the following:

  • to provide technical support and education for public officers and professionals on the subjects of water and wastewater;
  • to offer technical research, publications, and development of evaluation tools for service activities related to drinking water systems; and
  • to support exporting companies with expanding overseas markets as well as enhance global water cooperation.
South Korean delegation members listening to the presentation about the DRBC's approach to managing water resources. Photo by DRBC.South Korean delegation members listening to the presentation about the DRBC's approach to managing water resources. Photo by DRBC.South Korean delegation members listening to the presentation about the DRBC's approach to managing water resources. Photo by DRBC.South Korean delegation members listening to the presentation about the DRBC's approach to managing water resources. Photo by DRBC.The KWWA delegation with commission staff presenters Dr. Namsoo Suk and Clarke Rupert in the DRBC lobby. Photo by DRBC.