Water Bill Discount Applications Go Online as Seoul Launches the First Service of Its Kind Nationwide

[Financial News] Seoul residents will now be able to check whether they qualify for water bill discounts and apply online without submitting separate supporting documents or visiting a community service center. Seoul City said on the 21st that it had revamped the Arisu Water Bill Customer Center website and launched the nation’s first water bill discount application service that requires no document submission.
Until now, people eligible for discounts—including recipients of basic livelihood assistance, people with severe disabilities, and households with two or more children—had to visit a community service center or obtain supporting documents and submit them to a waterworks office. With administrative information now linked as part of the revamp, applicants can complete the entire process online, from checking eligibility to applying.
Convenience features have also been enhanced on the website, which is used by about 1.5 million people a year. Seoul introduced easy login using private-sector authentication certificates, including those from Kakao and banks, and made it possible to access services such as checking and paying bills and submitting public-service requests directly from the home page.
Users can now also check their water bill discount records online, which previously could only be confirmed by contacting a waterworks office. At approximately 310,000 service connections equipped with remote meter-reading systems, users can check real-time water consumption and meter status.
Administrative procedures have also been simplified, including reducing the documents required to obtain refunds for overpaid water bills from five types to three, and enabling bills and other service-related documents to be sent immediately by text message or email.
Kwon Min, head of the Seoul Arisu Headquarters, said, “This revamp will make it easier and more convenient for residents to use services related to their bills.” He added, “Since many residents use the website, we will continue to monitor its operation and actively incorporate improvements identified during use to further enhance its functions and convenience.”

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter