Jinju City Implements Second Phase Reduction of Water and Sewage Usage Fees

Self-Employed and Small Business Owners Up to 50% Reduction

Jinju City Hall Exterior View (Photo by Jinju City)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 19th that it will implement a second round of reductions in water and sewage usage fees for small business owners and small and medium-sized enterprises struggling with severe sales declines and reduced consumer activity due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The city decided to apply differentiated reduction rates based on usage for commercial and public bath water users, who are the primary users, with a 50% reduction for those using 300 tons or less, 30% for those using between 301 tons and 1000 tons, and 10% for those exceeding 1000 tons.

The reason for varying the reduction rates according to water usage is that over 97% of self-employed and small business owners affected by COVID-19 are users of 300 tons or less, aiming to provide greater benefits to them.

The reduction will be applied for three months, from the March billing for February usage through the May billing, with the total reduction amount expected to be approximately 1.5 billion KRW.

This reduction will be applied ex officio without the inconvenience of submitting an application form for the convenience of citizens.

A city official stated, “Last May, we amended the related ordinance and implemented a six-month reduction for the first time nationwide, reducing water and sewage usage fees by about 2.9 billion KRW. The second reduction is also the first of its kind in the province, and we hope it will help the struggling local economy.”