Sejong Mayor Choi Minho: "Shared Burden, Water and Sewage Fees Decided from Citizens' Perspective"

Next Year's Rate Increase Deferred for One Year at Current Levels
Priority on Easing Citizen Burden and Revitalizing Local Economy... Ordinance Revisions Planned

Sejong City has decided not to raise water and sewage fees. The city will maintain next year's water and sewage rates at the same level as this year.

According to Sejong City on September 19, the city has decided to freeze and defer the increase in water and sewage fees for one year in order to ease the financial burden on citizens struggling with high inflation and the economic downturn, and to revitalize the local economy.

Previously, in order to expand and operate water and sewage facilities and to adjust usage fees to reflect actual costs, the city established a five-year rate adjustment plan in 2020 and has been implementing annual increases. Despite the gradual rise in processing costs due to increased facility operating expenses from inflation and the expansion of water and sewage facilities each year, the rate adjustment ratio has remained low, leading to a deterioration in the financial soundness of the public utility. This measure was taken in consideration of that reality.

In 2021, the household rate per liter was 585 won for water supply and 570 won for sewage. These rates were scheduled to be raised annually to 755 won and 1,500 won, respectively, by next year. However, with the decision to defer the fee increase, next year's rates will be frozen at this year's level, and the timing of the increase will be postponed to 2027.

Starting September 19, the city will go through amendment procedures, including a legislative notice, and plans to submit the agenda at the 102nd regular session of the Sejong City Council scheduled for November 11. The city also plans to revise the "Sejong Special Self-Governing City Water Supply Ordinance" and the "Sejong Special Self-Governing City Sewage Use Ordinance" in cooperation with the city council.

Choi Minho, Mayor of Sejong City, said, "I hope this will help citizens who are experiencing difficulties in household finances due to high inflation and the economic slowdown." He added, "There was much deliberation about the need to resolve the fiscal deficit through water and sewage fee increases, but we made this policy decision from the citizens' perspective." He also stated, "We will continue this policy direction going forward."