Boryeong to End Six-Year Freeze on Water and Sewage Rates

Abolishing the Progressive Rate for Households

Gradual Annual Increases Planned

Boryeong City, Chungnam Province, has partially amended the water supply ordinance to raise its rates.

Boryeong City, Chungnam Province, announced that it will gradually increase water and sewage rates starting in July, after having frozen them for six years since 2020.

Accordingly, the city passed a partial amendment to the water supply ordinance during the temporary session and decided to impose the new rates starting with the July bills.

The city plans to increase the rates by 50 to 60 won each year, with a total increase of 230 won planned by 2029 to better reflect actual costs.

In addition, the city will improve the water billing system and change the rate structure for household, public bathhouse, and specialized industrial use from a three-tier progressive system to a single-rate system without progressive rates.

The city plans to concentrate the additional revenue secured through this rate adjustment on projects such as replacing old water and sewage pipelines, modernizing purification facilities, and expanding and improving the efficiency of sewage treatment plants.

Through these measures, Boryeong aims to lower the leakage rate and reliably supply citizens with safer and cleaner water.

Until now, the city has kept rates below production costs to minimize the financial burden on households and maintain stable public utility charges.

A city official explained, "As the expansion of replacement projects due to aging facilities has worsened the fiscal deficit, a rate increase has become inevitable to ensure stable facility maintenance and reinvestment."

The official added, "We ask for citizens' deep understanding and cooperation as we have decided to raise the rates under difficult economic conditions," and emphasized, "We will do our utmost to ensure that this increase leads to higher-quality water services and enhanced water quality management for our residents."

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