Park Wan-chul, 56, senior researcher of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology has been named scientist of the year for his new water purification technology by the Korea Science Reporters Association, the KSRA said Sunday.

Park recently developed a new technology to purify livestock waste and its odor by using microorganisms and made it available for use at local animal farms, according to the KSRA.

Nicknamed the “poo doctor” for his 27 years of research in eliminating water pollutants in livestock waste water and domestic sewage, Park will be awarded a medal and a plaque at the night for science journalists on Nov. 25, the science reporters group said.

His new technology used microorganisms found in fermented bean paste and humus and has been applied to water purification process at 95 sewage and livestock waste disposal plants nationwide, according to the KSRA.

Park’s past achievement includes improving and maintaining water quality in rural areas with a septic tank customized to local small livestock farms that filters pollutants in the first place.

“His innovation in water purification was driven by the fact that domestic sewage and livestock wastewater are the main water pollutants, and he has come up with new technologies to address the problem and contributed greatly in improving water quality in rural areas. Now he holds 29 patents regarding water pollution,” said a KSRA official.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)