The water use charge and fund management system for Han-river have been adopted to procure the financial resources need for the four-river water quality improvement and efficient implementation of the resident support project based on the spirit of pu...
The water use charge and fund management system for Han-river have been adopted to procure the financial resources need for the four-river water quality improvement and efficient implementation of the resident support project based on the spirit of public benefit, i.e., the upper and lower stream regions share burden and expenses together. The system is also based on a "Beneficiary Pays Principle : BPP" system wherein those who benefit from the water resource need to pay the loss expenses and relevant service expenses.
This paper presents several improvement measures to maintain and supplement the current system on the premise that the water use charge and fund management system needs to remain in place.
First, Water use charge imposed regions should be adjusted in the direction wherein the regions where the water use charge is imposed are expanded to include those who use water in the water system region concerned; the charge is reduced by a certain ratio or waived for the water supply management regions controlled as water supply protection and waterfront zones.
Second, The roles and rights of the regions should increase vis-a-vis water management. The bureau's functions also need to be consolidated to manage the Han River water system at the river basin level.
Third, To operate the fund management system independently, the autonomy of budgeting and business plan establishment should be fully guaranteed. Moreover, the bureau needs to present a policy direction for water quality management.
Fourth, Most of the expenses incurred in installing and operating basic environmental facilities in the upper stream region of the water supply source are currently subsidized by the state or the fund. Note, however, that this is an expansive application of the "Beneficiary Pays Principle : BPP", ignoring "The Polluter Pays Principle : PPP". Consequently, the assistance ratio should go down to the level of the minimum expenses that the residents should pay in the region that causes pollution; the resulting extra financial resources should be used for water quality improvement for river basin management.
Fifth, In the case of the upper stream region receiving the fund, the region is mostly assisted in the installation and operation of basic environmental facilities. For the region concerned, the sewage use fee should not be imposed, or fee reduction/waiving equivalent to the excessively collected fees should be offered. This way, the double burden should be relieved.
Sixth, For Lake Paldang's water quality improvement, non-point pollution sources management should be additionally implemented. In the case of land purchase, purchase claiming the right system needs to be implemented simultaneously for damage relief as a result of water quality improvement and regulations.
Seventh, The establishment of the size and support period of a resident support project is needed for the improvement of the project; a non-point pollution reduction project should be added to the project target.
Lastly, To enhance unity, equity, and efficiency among water systems of the water use charge and fund management system, the water management commissions established by each of the four rivers need to be unified. The bureau for supporting the commission should be reorganized so that public officials, personnel of the commission, and private sector participate in the bureau; thus maintaining transparency, fairness, and fit in fund operation.