1 Water Supply in Japan (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

Summary

This presentation provides an overview of Japan's water supply system, highlighting its extensive coverage, modern waterworks, and the effectiveness of water management practices. Japan's water supply is well-maintained with a low leakage rate, efficient use, and high-quality standards. The challenges of aging infrastructure, population decline, and climate change impacts on water supply are discussed. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism now oversees water supply management. The government is investing in new technologies like smart meters and seismic reinforcement to improve resilience against natural disasters, ensuring the continued availability of safe drinking water.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japan has a population of 125 million and faces natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, which impact water supply systems.
• 😀 Japan's water supply system has reached over 98% coverage, with modern waterworks established after epidemics like cholera spread in the 19th century.
• 😀 The effective water utilization rate in Japan has improved from 70% in the 1970s to over 90% today, thanks to efforts in repair and pressure management.
• 😀 The water supply in Japan is administered through a three-layer system: national government, prefectures, and municipalities.
• 😀 The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) now oversees water supply, with the Ministry of the Environment handling water quality.
• 😀 Japan's water supply business is divided into three categories: large-scale, small-scale, and wholesale water supply businesses.
• 😀 Japan’s water supply process involves water being taken from rivers, filtered, chlorinated, and supplied to residents, with groundwater also used in some areas.
• 😀 The Water Supply Act in Japan focuses on clean, abundant, and affordable water to improve public health and the living environment.
• 😀 Japan's water quality standards follow WHO guidelines for 51 substances, though challenges such as aging infrastructure remain.
• 😀 Aging pipelines pose significant challenges, with over 20,000 accidents in 2021 alone, leading to a focus on systematic replacement and earthquake resilience.
• 😀 Japan has developed innovative technologies such as water pipe leakage detection systems, drones for maintenance, and smart meters to improve water management and prepare for climate change impacts.

Q & A

What is the current coverage of water supply in Japan?

Japan's water supply coverage exceeds 98%, ensuring that almost all residents have access to clean water.

How has Japan managed waterborne diseases historically?

Japan has enacted modern waterworks since 1854 and strengthened chlorination of tap water after World War II to combat epidemics such as cholera, resulting in almost no outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

What is the leakage rate of water supply in Japan?

The water leakage rate in Japan is estimated to be approximately 7.4%, which is considered low due to effective maintenance and water pressure management.

What are the three main layers of water supply administration in Japan?

The water supply administration in Japan is organized into three layers: the national government, 47 prefectures, and 1,724 municipalities.

What are the main types of water supply services in Japan?

Water supply services in Japan are broadly categorized into three types: 1) water supply businesses, 2) small-scale water supply businesses, and 3) wholesale water supply businesses.

How is water typically supplied in Japan's cities?

In Japan's cities, water is typically taken from rivers, treated in water plants, chlorinated, and then distributed to residents. In areas with abundant groundwater, wells may be used instead.

What are the core principles of Japan's Water Supply Act?

The core principles of the Water Supply Act are to ensure that water supply is clean, abundant, and cheap, with an emphasis on improving public health and living conditions.

What is the current issue regarding the aging of water supply infrastructure in Japan?

The aging of water supply infrastructure, especially pipelines, is a growing concern. The replacement rate of old pipelines is slowing down, and the financial strain caused by a declining population in some areas is hindering necessary upgrades.

How is Japan preparing its water supply system to withstand earthquakes and flooding?

Japan is making its water supply system earthquake-resilient by reinforcing pipes and purification plants, while also taking measures like waterproofing buildings and installing self-powered equipment during power outages to protect against flooding.

How is climate change affecting water supply in Japan?

Climate change is impacting water supply in Japan by altering weather patterns, leading to more extreme events like droughts, storms, and flooding, which threaten water availability and source water quality.