Ulsan City Lowers Water Usage Charges... "Expecting Reduced Burden on Citizens"

Decrease in Nakdong River Raw Water Purchases
32.1 Won Per Ton Reduction Starting from March Billing

The water usage charge in the Ulsan area has been significantly reduced, and it is expected that the burden on citizens will be alleviated.

Ulsan City announced that due to a significant decrease in the purchase volume of Nakdong River raw water last year, the water usage charge will be reduced by 32.1 won starting from the March billing.

According to Ulsan City, last year the cumulative rainfall in the Ulsan area recorded 1,621 mm, showing consistent rainfall throughout the year. By predicting and assessing rainfall and reservoir levels, the supply volume of Nakdong River raw water was adjusted timely to minimize the purchase volume of raw water.

Accordingly, the water usage charge will be reduced from 36.4 won per ton to 32.1 won per ton starting from the March billing, applying a rate of 4.3 won.

For example, if a family of four uses 20 tons of water per month, the water usage charge will decrease from 720 won per month last year to 80 won per month starting in March, reducing by 640 won.

The Waterworks Headquarters plans to actively promote the reduced water usage charge starting in March by utilizing the waterworks website, distributing promotional materials, and providing active guidance to citizens.

The water usage charge is a cost borne separately by residents who directly or through purification receive water taken from the Nakdong River basin, in addition to the water supply fee. Since it is calculated through a charge coefficient approved annually by the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, the unit price changes every year.

It is charged together with the water and sewage bill and is a fund paid by the regions of Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk that use Nakdong River water to the Nakdong River Basin Management Committee under Article 32 of the "Act on the Management of Nakdong River Basin and Resident Support."

The established fund is used for the installation and operation costs of environmental infrastructure facilities around water source protection zones and water source utilization dams, land acquisition in regulated areas such as water source protection zones, and water quality improvement projects in the basin.

This year’s water usage charge is determined by calculating the charge coefficient based on the ratio of Nakdong River raw water usage out of the total water intake volume of Ulsan City last year, multiplied by the charge rate (170 won/t, Ministry of Environment notice) to set the unit price.