Suwon Becomes First Local Autonomous Entity in Nation to Introduce Web-Based Water Utility Billing Management System

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Metropolitan City is introducing a web-based water utility billing management system, the first of its kind among basic local autonomous entities nationwide.

With the introduction of the web-based water utility billing management system, Suwon residents can now immediately process bank auto-transfer applications for water and sewage utility bills, which previously took 1-2 days. Bills can also be confirmed on the Suwon Water Works website.

The city held a 'completion report meeting for the web-based water utility billing management system advancement project' in the conference room of the Water Works on the 25th.

To enhance data reliability and improve operational efficiency, the aging system that had been in operation for 16 years was overhauled. By adopting an open-source database instead of a commercial database, the city saved approximately 300 million won, and secured system migration stability by pre-managing more than 90,000 address and meter data.

The new system is the first case nationwide among basic local autonomous entities to apply a web-based water utility billing management system. Through cooperation with financial institutions, real-time bill QR code payment and real-time auto-transfer application and cancellation are available, streamlining bill inquiry, payment, and civil complaint handling procedures.

Key advantages of the new system include △reducing billing processing time from 3 hours to 20 minutes △shortening the procedure to confirm utility rate reduction eligibility from 4 days to 10 hours △improving bank auto-transfer application processing time from 3 days to real-time △reducing notice of payment confirmation period from up to 7 days to 1 day △simplifying the 10-digit water service account number to a customer number △enabling payment via QR code for other notices such as water installation costs from all banks nationwide.

The city plans to enhance transparency and reliability of administration by strengthening standardized data management and system integration, and to continue service improvements that residents can tangibly experience.

Kim Jong-ho, head of Suwon Water Works, stated, “Citizens can now conveniently use billing services anytime and anywhere via smartphone,” and added, “We will expand customized services for residents through rapid and accurate administration.”