Suwon City: "No Public Utility Rate Increases"

While 31 local governments across Gyeonggi Province are increasing public utility rates one after another, Suwon City has decided to freeze most public utility rates including water and sewerage charges to stabilize the common people's economy. However, some public utility rates such as groundwater rates and municipal arts group admission fees will increase.

According to the city, as food and oil prices have risen sharply, placing a significant burden on household budgets, the city has decided to freeze the water and sewerage rates that were increased last year to ease this burden. Currently, water supply rates by sector are charged at 400 won per ton for residential use (1-20 tons), 730 won for commercial use (1-100 tons), and 880 won for business use (1-100 tons). Sewerage rates are charged at 148 won for residential use (1-20 tons), 220 won for commercial use (1-100 tons), and 300 won for business use (1-100 tons).

An official from the Water Supply Works said, "There are no plans for rate increases in the first half of this year," and added, "It may be reviewed in the second half."

Additionally, garbage bag prices, which had been announced for increase, will be maintained at current levels. Currently, the standard price is 600 won for 20-liter bags. Gyeonggi Province had notified local governments of garbage bag price increases as part of efforts to realize garbage volume-based fees.

An official from the city's Sanitation and Administration Division stated, "We set the price with sufficient review at the time of the increase in 2005, so we will maintain this price for several years to come," and explained, "Unlike other local governments, we have a separate incinerator, so the fee burden is lighter."

While public utility rates that directly impact common household budgets have been frozen, groundwater use charges, municipal arts group admission fees, and public sports facility usage fees are facing successive increases.

Following the revision and announcement of the water use charge rate by the Han River Basin Management Committee (160 won per ton in 2008), the groundwater use charge has been raised from the existing 67.5 won per ton to 72 won per ton this year. When groundwater developers and users consume 100 tons of groundwater in a month, approximately 7,200 won will be charged.

The municipal arts group has also decided to apply differential admission fees ranging from 5,000 won to 20,000 won depending on seating arrangements, whereas it previously charged a flat rate of 5,000 won. Additionally, it has introduced a paid membership system with a 50,000 won annual fee. This measure aims to modernize performance admission rates, which had been measured lower compared to other provinces, and to improve the quality of cultural performances.

The Suwon Facilities Management Corporation has also increased the usage fee for the artificial turf field at Suwon Sports Complex from the existing 20,000 won to 40,000 won, a 100 percent increase.