An image released by Pohang announcing the expansion of water bill discount benefits for multi-child households. [Pohang city]
An image released by Pohang announcing the expansion of water bill discount benefits for multi-child households. [Pohang city]

Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province announced Thursday it will expand water bill discount eligibility to households with two or more children, broadening a benefit previously limited to families with three or more children.

Under the current system, households with three or more children under 18 receive a monthly discount equivalent to 10 tons of water usage. Starting in 2027, the benefit will extend to households with two or more children under 19.

The discount will be tiered by the number of children: households with two children will receive a monthly reduction equivalent to 5 tons of water usage, while those with three or more children will continue to receive the 10-ton discount.

Applications open in November. Eligible households must submit an application in person at the community welfare center listed on their resident registration.

Households that previously qualified for the three-child discount but were dropped from the program after their eldest child aged out of eligibility must reapply under the revised criteria to resume receiving the benefit.

The updated system takes effect with January 2027 billing statements. However, households with a child born in January 2008 will be eligible for only one month of discounts — January 2027, the month that child turns 19.

"We expect this expansion to ease the water bill burden for more multi-child households," a Pohang city official said. "We will make every effort to promote the program and ensure that all eligible families receive the benefit without exception."


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com