A plan to increase the sewer usage fee in Seoul by 9.5% annually from 2026 to 2030 has passed the Seoul City Price Policy Committee on the 5th. The Seoul city government plans to finalize the increase after deliberation and resolution by the Seoul City Council in September. The final details, including the rate of increase and the timing of implementation, may be adjusted during the City Council's review and resolution process.
Thus, the Seoul city government aims to gradually increase the rate of sewer fee realization. As of the 2023 settlement of account, the sewer fee realization rate in Seoul is 56%, the lowest among the metropolitan cities in Korea. The goal is to achieve an 80% realization rate for sewer fees by 2030.
A Seoul city official noted, "The actual fee (693 won per cubic meter) is astonishingly low compared to the average cost (1,246 won per cubic meter)," and said, "Securing stable funding for the renovation of aging pipelines and modernizing treatment facilities is urgent."
If converted to monetary value, the increase amounts to a total of 422 won, or an annual average of 84.4 won per cubic meter. The annual average increase for household use is 72.0 won per cubic meter (an increase rate of 13.4%), resulting in a total increase of 360 won over five years. The annual average increase for general use is 117.6 won per cubic meter (an increase rate of 6.5%), leading to a total increase of 588 won over five years.
If the increase plan is implemented, next year's sewer fee burden for a one-person household (based on a monthly usage of 6 cubic meters) is expected to rise from the current 2,400 won to 2,880 won, an increase of about 480 won. For a four-person household (based on a monthly usage of 24 cubic meters), it will increase from the current 9,600 won to 11,520 won, an increase of 1,920 won per month.
However, the Seoul city government plans to keep the first stage rates for household and general use (for small business owners) below the sewer treatment cost (1,246 won per cubic meter). This is a measure aimed at minimizing the burden on citizens. Even with gradual increases until 2030, the final rate for household use will be maintained at 770 won per cubic meter, which is lower than the cost.
The proposed increase in sewer usage fees also includes eliminating the progressive system and transitioning to a single rate, simplifying the fee structure. However, considering that the abolition of the progressive system for general use could sharply increase the burden on small business owners, the existing six-tier structure was adjusted to a four-tier structure.