Gochang-gun to Increase Water Supply Usage Fee by 12.5% Starting Next Month

Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do announced on the 27th that it will increase the water supply usage fee by 12.5% starting next month.

The water supply fee has been kept from increasing since 2017 to minimize the burden on residents.

Gochang-gun Government Office. [Photo by Gochang-gun]

However, to secure funds for various water supply facility investment projects and the replacement of aging pipes, it was necessary to improve the significantly low fee realization rate (33%).

Accordingly, the county revised the Water Supply Ordinance in February to increase the water usage fees for household, general, and industrial purposes by 12.5%, excluding public bath usage.

At the same time, to enhance welfare for vulnerable groups, the county decided to expand a 20% discount on water usage fees to basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, persons with disabilities, and multi-child families (with two or more children under 19 years old).

As a result, for household water usage, the fee is expected to increase from 6,000 KRW to 6,600 KRW for 10 tons per month, and from 11,450 KRW to 12,450 KRW for 20 tons per month, with most household water and sewage fees rising by about 600 to 1,000 KRW per month.

Yoo Seong-ryong, head of the Gochang-gun Water and Sewage Business Office, said, “Since the water usage fee is being increased inevitably to reflect actual costs and improve the financial deficit, we ask for the understanding and cooperation of the residents. We will do our best to supply clean tap water that residents can drink with confidence.”

Gochang = Kim Jae-gil, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr