Suwon City to Raise Water Supply Fee by 60 Won per Ton Starting August

Suwon City Waterworks Office Exterior View

The city of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province will raise the water supply rates for residential and general use by 60 KRW per 1 cubic meter (㎥) starting from the August billing (usage in July).

Although Suwon City had kept the rates frozen considering the difficult economic situation, it has accumulated operating deficits by supplying water at rates lower than the production cost. Therefore, the city announced on the 18th that it decided to partially revise the 'Water Supply Ordinance' for the first time in eight years and raise the rates, deeming rate adjustment inevitable.

Accordingly, from the August billing, the residential rate will increase from 470 KRW to 530 KRW per ㎥. For general use, the rates will be adjusted as follows: Stage 1 (1?100㎥) from 850 KRW to 910 KRW, Stage 2 (101?300㎥) from 1010 KRW to 1070 KRW, and Stage 3 (over 301㎥) from 1330 KRW to 1390 KRW. The fixed monthly charge by pipe diameter will also increase by 5.17%, from 1160 KRW to 1220 KRW for a 15mm residential pipe.

With the rate increase, a household using 20㎥ of water per month will see their bill rise by 1200 KRW, from 9400 KRW to 10,600 KRW.

Suwon City plans to minimize the burden on citizens by implementing the rate increase in two stages.

The rate will increase by 60 KRW per ㎥ starting from the August 2024 billing, and an additional 60 KRW per ㎥ will be added from the August 2026 billing.

A representative from the Suwon City Waterworks Office stated, "The rate increase is unavoidable to secure funds for investment and management costs such as replacing aging pipes," and added, "We will do our best to supply safe and clean tap water that citizens can trust and use."