Korean Job Discussion Forums

root555 · Joined: 09 Aug 2006

I have been living in Korea with my bf for about 4 months. Previously- we were teachers in Central Europe where we rented our own apartment, and kept track of our utility usage (water, gas, ect.) with a spreadsheet.

Since being here- our water bills have been OUTRAGEOUS, and asking help from my bf's lazy boss has NOT HELPED (we've been begging him to check into this issue for a month now.) Our water bill claims we use 44-49 m 3 (cubic meters of water a month.) Now- we used way less water in our apt. in Europe where we cooked all the time because we were poor, did more laundry (because our washing machine wasn't broken like here,) and prob. took longer showers. We used about 6-10 m3 per month in our European apt.

NOW IN KOREA WE'RE BEING CHARGED ABOUT 100,000 WON+ PER MONTH ON WATER!!!! We checked our meter- which is 'accurate' in showing how much we're suppossed to be using (45-49m3!!!) We looked at bills of other apartments in our building (including asking my co-teacher at work who lives in the building,) and they're all in the 5-10 m3 range. WHAT SHOULD I DO???? I THINK WE'RE GETTING RIPPED OFF BIG TIME FOR BEING FOREIGNERS! I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER TEACHERS THAT THIS IS COMMON, AND I'M CONFUSED AND PISSED OFF.

If anybody could please post how much water they use a month (or how much it costs in Won,) or any advice- it would be much appreicated. I'M AT MY WITS END!!!!!! Evil or Very Mad

poet13 · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject:

Wow. Something sure doesnt sound right. I would suggest that you go to the water company office and show them your bills and charges. I had a problem in the Philippines a few years ago. My water bills suddenly went up to about 200US a month. Normal would be 20. Turned out there was a break in the pipe. The company (ok, after much grief), reimbursed me a reasonable portion of that overcharge.
I would check that first. If thats ok, then I would wonder if some nearby business is tapped into your water supply. You would have to check the lines yourself and make sure there are no taps on it.
After that, I think I would just refuse to pay it. When someone doesnt get their money, the problem will get sorted out somehow.
Just my thoughts.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Tapping into your water is stealing. If you discover that someone has tapped into your water pipe, call the police and let them sort it out. And also call and alert the water company.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

OMG- it would be cheaper to use bottled water to wash and shower in then this. If your lazy ass boss can't help try getting a Korean friend or one of the Korean teachers to help you call the company. Then buy them lunch.

When I left my heating on 24/7 all month because I was sick some guys from the electric board came round to check my metre, supply and electrical equipment since my normal bill had doubled. The water boards should really do the same.

root555 · Joined: 09 Aug 2006

Sorry- what I meant is that we used way MORE water in our European apt. than here-not less. We eat out everyday here in Korea (because it's cheaper for us-) hence no dishes to ever wash. Plus- we had guests stay with us in the summer for a month (meaning more showers=more water used per day) and we still used under 45 m3 in that month. So I can't figure it out.

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Sorry to bring this up again.
We just got our maintenance bill and our hot water use was measured as 757m3 of water... Shocked

(yes, that's seven-hundred and fifty seven meters cubed) They only charged 40,000Won for it, so I'm thinking maybe at that price we could start exporting it to water thirsty countries. Laughing

To use that much water, we'd have to leave the faucet on full for 70 days straight.

OP did you ever solve your problem?