Seoul Sewer Fees to Rise by 9.5% Annually... 1,920 Won Increase for Four-Person Households

Gradual Increase Planned from Next Year Through 2030

Sewer fees in Seoul will increase by an average of 9.5% per year from next year until 2030. For a household of four, the fee will be 11,520 won next year, which is 1,920 won more than the current rate.

On September 29, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had finalized the increase in sewer usage fees following the promulgation of the 'Partial Amendment to the Seoul Metropolitan Sewer Usage Ordinance.'

Previously, on September 28, the city, together with the Urban Safety and Construction Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, held a forum on "Reforming the Sewer Fee System to Improve Aging Sewer Facilities" to gather opinions from experts, civic groups, and citizens. After a review by the Price Countermeasure Committee in June, the increase plan was approved and finally confirmed at the city council on September 12.

This fee increase aims to secure funding for the improvement of aging sewer pipelines and water reclamation centers. As of 2024, the sewer fee realization rate was 55%, with the actual fee (690 won per ㎥) lower than the average cost (1,257 won per ㎥). Of Seoul's 10,866 km of sewer pipelines, 6,029 km, or 55.5%, are over 30 years old. As sewer pipelines age, the risk of damage, ground subsidence, and odor increases, making it urgent to secure funding for pipeline maintenance.

From 2026, sewer usage fees will rise by an average of 9.5% per year for five years, with an average annual increase of 84.4 won per ㎥. The average annual increase will be 72.0 won per ㎥ for household use (360 won over five years), 117.6 won per ㎥ for general use (588 won over five years), and 78.0 won per ㎥ for bathhouse use (390 won over five years). With the increase, next year's monthly sewer fee will be 2,880 won for single-person households and 11,520 won for four-person households, representing increases of 480 won and 1,920 won, respectively.

In addition, the city will abolish the progressive rate system and switch to a single-rate system. This is because 98.6% of households pay the minimum rate, making the effect of the progressive rate negligible. For general use, the six-tier structure will be adjusted to a four-tier structure to prevent a sharp increase in the burden on small business owners. In this case, the first-tier rate for general use, which mainly includes households and small businesses, will be set below the processing cost. Even after the final increase in 2030, the household rate will remain at 770 won per ㎥, which is still lower than the processing cost of 1,257 won per ㎥.

The discount benefit for households with multiple children will be expanded. Currently, a 30% discount is offered to households with three or more children, but starting from the March 2025 billing cycle, this will be expanded to households with two or more children.

Jung Sungkuk, Director of the Water Circulation Safety Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We sincerely ask for the understanding of citizens as the increase in sewer usage fees was unavoidable in order to ensure public safety and improve the water quality of the Han River by securing stable funding." He added, "With the city council's thoughtful consideration to ease the burden on citizens, the expanded benefits for households with multiple children are expected to reduce the burden of child-rearing and help address the low birthrate issue."

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