The improvement of sewerage fee imposition system for efficient rainwater management

As sewer flooding frequents due to localized and concentrated stormwater and increased non-permeable surface area after urbanization, building cities with sound water recycle and accordingly efficient management of rainwater is demanded. To do this, the existing sewage (including rainwater) fee imposition system should be philosophically evaluated. This study presents problematic issues of the existing domestic sewage fee imposition system considering the principle of sharing costs on the service of sewage and rainwater collection and treatment. Four methods to improve the existing sewage fee imposition system are suggested: 1) imposing stormwater fee according to Polluter Pays Principle, 2) clarification of the share of public sector, 3) reducing or exempting the sewerage fee for inhabitants reducing urban runoff by constructing their own rainwater management facilities, 4) imposing charge for discharging rainwater to sewers due to new development action. Short, mid, or long term planning for rainwater management is recommended considering the situation of each municipality.