Water Rates in Yeongju to Increase by 14% Annually for Four Years
Progressive Rate System Abolished, Rate Structure Revised Based on Usage
Expanded Discounts for Multi-Child Households and Kindergartens
New Personal Data Protection Measures Implemented
The Yeongju City Waterworks Office announced that, in order to supply citizens with a stable supply of tap water, water rates will be increased by an average of 14% each year for four years, starting from the charges billed in May and continuing through 2028.
This rate adjustment is a response to the continued deficits faced by the local public enterprise after rates were frozen for eight years following three consecutive annual increases of 10% from 2015 to 2017. The decision was also unavoidable due to rising tap water production costs, the need to upgrade aging water supply facilities, and the necessity to secure resources for stable water supply.
The water rate realization rate in Yeongju City is lower than the national average, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has consistently called for management improvements.
Accordingly, the city commissioned a study to establish a mid- to long-term management plan for Yeongju City’s waterworks. The study proposed annual increases of either 18% or 25% over four years, but after review by the Yeongju City Price Countermeasures Committee, the final annual increase was set at 14%.
With this rate adjustment, the progressive rate system for household water charges has been abolished, and the rate structure has been revised based on usage. Households using 20㎡ of tap water per month will see their bill rise from 14,400 won to 17,400 won, an increase of 3,000 won. Households using 30㎡ per month will see an increase from 25,200 won to 26,100 won, an increase of 900 won. In contrast, households using 50㎡ per month will see their bill decrease from 56,600 won to 43,500 won, a reduction of 13,100 won, which is expected to ease the burden on larger households.
This adjustment was made to address the issue of larger households bearing relatively higher costs under the previous progressive rate system and to establish a more rational rate structure.
Additionally, the Waterworks Office has changed the progressive rate for general use, which was previously applied to local kindergartens, to the first-tier general use rate. The scope of rate discounts, previously limited to “households with two or more children under 18 years of age who are registered residents of the city,” has been expanded to “households with two or more children aged 18 or younger,” allowing more families to benefit.
Furthermore, new personal information protection regulations have been added to strengthen the protection of citizens' personal data and prevent privacy infringements.
Kim Sanghwan, head of the Waterworks Office, stated, “Just as we have expanded benefits for multi-child households and kindergartens, we plan to implement various support measures to alleviate the burden from rate increases,” adding, “We will do our utmost to maximize the operational efficiency of water facilities and supply clean and safe tap water.”
The Yeongju City Waterworks Office also plans to strengthen promotional activities to help citizens better understand the water rate increases by providing detailed information on the rate adjustments and cost-saving measures. For further inquiries, citizens are encouraged to contact the Yeongju City Waterworks Office.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
