Yongsan-gu Septic Tank Cleaning Fee Base Rate Increased by 1,120 Won (5%)

Base fare increased by 1,120 won... Excess charge to increase by 1,990 won per 100ℓ... Annual burden per household rises by 2,000 to 4,000 won

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjang Hyun) will raise the basic cleaning fee for private sewage treatment facilities such as septic tanks (0.75㎥) from the current 21,380 KRW to 22,500 KRW, an increase of 1,120 KRW (5%), starting January 1 next year.

The excess fee will be increased by 1,990 KRW per 100ℓ (previously 1,540 KRW).

This is the first fee increase in five years since 2015. The annual burden per household is expected to increase by about 2,000 to 4,000 KRW.

This decision aims to align the fee fairness among Seoul’s autonomous districts. Yongsan-gu’s fee ranked 23rd out of 25 districts in Seoul and was below the overall average. Already, 18 districts (72%) have set the basic fee at 22,500 KRW.

Seoul City also recommended unifying the basic fee and surcharge rates across districts based on the ‘Seoul Institute’s Analysis of Night Soil Collection Costs,’ while reflecting regional characteristics in the excess fees.

A district official said, “Over the past five years, consumer prices have risen by 5.2%, and fuel costs by 16%, causing difficulties for the contractors,” adding, “We will raise the fees to a level similar to other districts as per Seoul City’s recommendation.”

As of July 2020, there are a total of 21,207 private sewage treatment facilities in Yongsan-gu. Facilities serving fewer than 50 people account for 17,071 units, or 80%. Two contractors (Gyeongnam Jeonghwajo and Seungbo Environmental Industry) are responsible for cleaning, each managing 8 buildings.

The district established a plan to adjust the septic tank cleaning fee in July and has proceeded through procedures including review by the Price Countermeasure Committee, legislative notice of the ordinance amendment, and review by the district council.

Seongjang Hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Although these are difficult times, the fee increase was unavoidable to improve the treatment of low-wage workers and enhance service quality,” and added, “We ask for residents’ interest and cooperation to create a more pleasant and cleaner city.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.