Hwaseong City to Raise Water and Sewage Rates Starting in September

Single-Rate System of 660 Won per Cubic Meter for Households
General Users Face Average 7.7% Increase
Sewage Rates to Rise 8.9% Annually Through 2029

Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on August 11 that it will raise water and sewage rates starting September 1.

For water rates, the city will abolish the existing progressive rate system for households and introduce a single-rate system, charging 660 won per cubic meter (㎥).

For general users such as businesses, the average rate across three tiers will increase by 7.7%. The usage fees per cubic meter for each tier are as follows: ▲ Up to 100㎥: 890 won ▲ Over 100㎥ to 200㎥: 1,070 won ▲ Over 200㎥: 1,240 won. For public bathhouses, the rate will rise by 9.1% to 1,055 won per cubic meter.

Sewage rates, regardless of business type, will increase by 8.9% annually for five years from this year through 2029.

The city explained that, as a result of this rate increase, the monthly water and sewage bill for a four-person household (using 12㎥ per month) will rise by 1,950 won, from 18,200 won to 20,150 won.

This rate hike is a measure to improve the rate realization ratio. The city has frozen water rates since 2015 and sewage rates since 2021. As a result, as of last year, the rate realization ratio stood at 84% for water and 59% for sewage.

The city plans to raise the rate realization ratio to 95% for water and 77% for sewage by 2029. A city official stated, "Although the water and sewage rate increases were finalized in the first half of this year, we are implementing them now to minimize the burden on citizens."

The city plans to use the additional funds secured through the rate hike not only to cover fixed costs for the maintenance of existing water and sewage facilities and pipelines, but also to focus on new investments to ensure service equity across regions. Currently, the city is constructing 24.4 kilometers of new water supply pipelines as part of a project to double the water transmission lines, ensuring uninterrupted water supply even in emergencies. The number of sewage treatment facilities, currently at 44, will also be expanded by eight additional facilities.

Woo Jeongsuk, head of Hwaseong City's Clean Water Project Office, said, "We ask for your understanding as we have inevitably raised water and sewage rates amid ongoing high inflation," adding, "We will return the favor to citizens with improved water and sewage administrative services."