Goyang to Gradually Increase Sewage Fees, Starting from February Billing

Average Monthly Increase of 1,230 Won for a Four-Person Household

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) announced on January 13 that it will gradually increase sewage usage fees to improve aging sewage facilities and ensure urban safety.

Aerial view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

This adjustment will take effect starting from the February 2026 billing period, and will be implemented gradually over a long period to minimize the burden on citizens.

The city has been implementing a plan to raise fees incrementally each year from 2023 to 2026, aiming to distribute the financial impact rather than increasing the fees all at once. For a standard household of four, the average monthly increase in sewage fees is expected to be around 1,230 won per month.

This fee adjustment is necessary because the sewage facilities, which are closely tied to citizens' daily lives, have reached the limits of their lifespan. After the large-scale development of new towns in Goyang, the usage of sewage pipelines and treatment facilities surged, but the fees remained at a low level for a long time. As a result, the city has continuously lacked the resources needed for facility maintenance and environmental compliance.

In particular, sewage systems are not usually visible, but if their management is delayed, they can directly cause inconvenience and risks to citizens' lives, such as flooding, foul odors, and water pollution. The city explained, "Rather than dealing with problems after they occur, investing in advance to prevent inconvenience is the way to reduce the burden on citizens."

The city plans to use the additional funds secured through the fee increase for modernizing sewage treatment facilities, repairing aging pipelines, and expanding eco-friendly treatment equipment, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs and the risk of accidents. Ultimately, the goal is to lower the social and economic costs that citizens would otherwise have to bear.

An official from Goyang Special City stated, "We recognize that a sewage fee increase is never a light matter for citizens, so we have carefully adjusted the scale and pace of the increase," adding, "Since citizens are bearing this inconvenience, we will operate the system responsibly so that the fee translates into a safer and cleaner urban environment."