Water Usage Fee Increase for Paldang Reaches Provisional Agreement

The water usage fee for the Han River system is expected to increase from the current 140 won per ton to 150 won in 2007 and 160 won in 2008.

On the 20th, Gyeonggi Province stated regarding the water usage fee increase for 2007–2008: "The Ministry of Environment has prepared this increase plan and notified Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, and North Chungcheong Province, which are currently undergoing written review." The province added, "Since each provincial government has reached internal agreement, the plan is expected to pass without difficulty."

If final agreement is reached, the increased water usage fee will be confirmed and announced at the end of this month, becoming effective from January 2007.

The water usage fee is used for projects supporting residents in tap water source areas such as Paldang Lake, as well as for construction funds for environmental infrastructure such as sewage treatment plants. Following the enactment of the Han River System Act in 1999, five metropolitan governments meet once every two years to determine the increase in the fee.

If the water usage fee increase is not decided by the end of this month, the current rate of 140 won per ton will remain in effect for the next two years.

Previously, the five provincial governments had been in discussions over the water usage fee increase since March. However, they failed to narrow differences, with Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces arguing for an increase of 20 won or more per ton, while Seoul, Incheon, and North Chungcheong Province argued for less than 20 won.

Meanwhile, the water usage fee is reflected in tap water rates for the Seoul metropolitan area. When the fee increases by 20 won per ton, based on the average monthly water consumption of 30 tons for a four-member household, an increase factor of 600 won occurs, separate from upper and lower water and sewerage rates determined by local ordinances of municipal governments, county offices, and district offices.