Price Increase After 21 Years... Applied from Next Month's Bill
Residential Rate from 670 Won per Ton to 1,070 Won by 2027
On the 18th, Anseong City in Gyeonggi Province announced that it had promulgated an amendment to the 'Water Supply Ordinance' on the 12th, which includes raising water rates by 11% annually for four years starting from the next billing cycle.
This water rate increase in Anseong City is the first in 21 years since 2003. The city explained that the rate had been frozen for over 20 years, resulting in a severe shortage of budget needed for the maintenance of aging water pipelines, facility operations, and repairs, making the rate hike unavoidable.
Additionally, the city will abolish the progressive rate system, which charged different water rates based on usage for household, public bath, and industrial water, and adjust the progressive steps for general use from four to three stages.
Accordingly, the household water rate, which was 670 KRW per ton, will increase to 770 KRW starting in August. It will then rise to 870 KRW in August next year, 970 KRW in 2026, and 1070 KRW in 2027.
The general water rates for shops, factories, and logistics centers will be adjusted from four progressive steps (1240~2130 KRW) to three steps. The rates per ton will be 1350 KRW for usage up to 100 tons, 1750 KRW for usage over 100 tons up to 300 tons, and 2130 KRW for usage exceeding 300 tons. The progressive rate system for public bath and exclusive industrial water will be abolished, and the increased rates will be applied annually.
A city official stated, "To alleviate the burden on citizens caused by the sudden increase in water rates, we decided to raise the rates gradually over four years."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
