Ministry of Climate to Disburse 75% of First-Half Sewerage Budget Early... 2.7 Trillion Won Allocated

Sewerage Budget Increased by 500 Billion Won Compared to Last Year

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will allocate 75% of this year’s first-half sewerage budget early to stimulate the local economy and strengthen urban safety.

On January 20, the Ministry announced plans to disburse 2.7332 trillion won-equivalent to 75% of this year’s sewerage project budget-within the first half of the year. This measure aims to accelerate fiscal execution by local governments, invigorate regional economies, and proactively address recurring urban flooding and ground subsidence safety issues.

This year’s total sewerage budget stands at 3.6443 trillion won, an increase of 499.5 billion won (15.9%) compared to last year. The Ministry will establish its budget allocation plan by considering the progress rate of local government projects and their implementation conditions. Incentives such as priority allocation and early disbursement of funds will be provided to municipalities with outstanding execution records.

Projects with sluggish budget execution will be subject to monthly monitoring and intensive management. The Ministry will form joint fiscal monitoring teams with metropolitan local governments to analyze causes of delays, and will manage the progress of individual projects through quarterly fiscal execution review meetings led by regional (local) environmental offices.

Yonhap News Agency

By project category, the sewer pipeline maintenance budget is set at 1.9506 trillion won this year, up 13.6% from last year. Urban flood prevention projects-including the maintenance of aging sewer pipelines, expansion of sewer networks, and installation of sewer retention facilities-will be carried out nationwide. Notable projects include the construction of deep underground sewer retention facilities in the Gangnam Station and Gwanghwamun areas of Seoul, for which a budget of 19.9 billion won has been allocated this year and full-scale construction is set to begin.

The budget also includes a new project to prevent manhole fall accidents. A total of 207,000 manhole fall prevention devices will be installed in flood-prone areas, with an investment of 110.4 billion won. The budget for sewage treatment plant construction projects has also increased to 1.2686 trillion won, expanding investments to ensure proper treatment of domestic sewage, improve living conditions in urban and rural areas, and preserve the aquatic environment.

Kim Eun-kyung, Director of Water Environment Policy at the Ministry, stated, "The role of public sewerage systems is becoming increasingly important not only for clean sewage treatment but also for preventing the recurring urban flooding and ground subsidence that occur every year. We will work closely with local governments to ensure public safety is not compromised."