Anseong City Eases 2027 Sewerage Rate Increase to 12.9%…Half of Households See No Hike

Anseong City reviewed a proposal to raise sewerage rates by 25% annually over the next five years, but after discussions with the Consumer Policy Deliberation Committee and the city council, has decided to lower the five-year average increase rate to 17.9%.

The city aims to minimize the burden on citizens while concentrating administrative efforts on stable sewerage operations and facility expansion.

Accordingly, Anseong City has adjusted the first-year sewerage rate average increase to 12.9% and expanded the residential rate freeze range from 10 cubic meters or less per month to 13 cubic meters or less. The new rates and reduction criteria will apply starting from the billing issued in February 2027 for usage in January 2027.

As a result, in 2027, 49% of residential households will apply the existing rate without a rate increase, and with the unit price frozen in the 1-50 cubic meter section for general use, 75% of small retail shops will have their rates frozen.

Approximately 3,400 households with two or more children under 18 will have their reduction amount expanded from 5 cubic meters to 13 cubic meters per month, exempting them from sewerage charges entirely for usage of 13 cubic meters or less.

Instead of reducing the rate burden on citizens, the city will cut costs through reducing repair and replacement expenses and power costs, and improving sludge treatment expenses.

At the same time, the city will invest a total of 441 billion won from next year through 2031 in new and expanded public sewage treatment facilities, expanding sewage pipelines, expanding sewerage services to rural areas, and maintaining aging facilities.

A city official said, "The phased adjustment of sewerage rates is intended to minimize the burden on citizens while providing sustainable sewerage services."