Namyangju City to Raise Sewerage Fees for the First Time in 9 Years: "Inevitable Due to Accumulated Deficits"

Sewerage Fees Frozen for Nine Years, but Rising Costs Worsen City Finances
9.5% Annual Increase Planned from 2026 to 2028
Rate Hike to Take Effect Following City Council Ordinance Amendment in December

Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Gwangdeok) announced on September 4 that it will begin administrative procedures to adjust sewerage fees for the first time in nine years since 2016.

Namyangju City Hall exterior. Provided by Namyangju City

Accordingly, the city plans to increase sewerage fees by 9.5% annually from 2026 to 2028.

The city completed a study on sewerage fee increases early last year, but has been reviewing the matter carefully in order to freeze local public utility rates and ease the financial burden on citizens.

Currently, the sewage treatment cost in Namyangju City is 1,773 won per ton, while the average fee paid by citizens is 682 won, which is only 38.5% of the treatment cost. This is lower than the Gyeonggi Province average of 48.5%.

Due to this fee structure, which is low compared to the treatment cost, the city incurs losses as more sewage is processed. In 2024, the loss amounted to 28.2 billion won, an increase of 2 billion won from the previous year.

With rising prices and labor costs, the operating expenses for sewage treatment plants continue to increase. In addition, the city is carrying out new construction, expansion, and improvement projects for sewage treatment facilities, making stable funding urgently needed.

According to the proposed increase, household fees (for a three-person household using 20㎥ per month) will rise from the current 588 won per ㎥ to 644 won in 2026, 705 won in 2027, and 772 won in 2028, representing an average annual increase of 61 won and a total increase of 184 won over three years.

The average monthly fee will increase from 11,760 won to 15,440 won, a rise of 1,227 won per month. Even after the increase, the fee will remain below the average treatment cost of 1,773 won.

The city plans to complete preliminary procedures for amending the ordinance by reflecting the results of the Consumer Policy Review Committee by November, and to finalize the increase plan through city council review and resolution in December.

The rate of increase and the timing of implementation may be adjusted during the city council's review process.

Lee Jangho, Director of the Water and Sewerage Management Center, stated, "We have postponed adjusting the fees for nine years, but due to the need to secure funding for large-scale investment projects, we have no other choice but to proceed. This increase is an essential measure for the installation and improvement of sewage treatment facilities, and we sincerely ask for the understanding of our citizens."