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【JWF News Vol. 205】17 November 2021
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◇ Contents ◇
・Foreword Challenges Faced by Waterworks Facilities in Japan: The Risks of Aging Infrastructure
・Announcement from the Japan Water Forum
- Join us! The 5th JWF Webinar about Regional Inclusive Public-Private Collaboration for Water Conservation
・Report from the Japan Water Forum
- 5th Joint Executive Committee (JEC) Meeting of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
- The outcomes of the APWF 27th Governing Council Meeting
- 4℃ AQUA PROGRAM 2021 started!
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・Foreword Challenges Faced by Waterworks Facilities in Japan: The Risks of Aging Infrastructure
By Mr. Masanobu MIYAZAKI, Advisory Council Member of the Japan Water Forum; Director General, Federation of Japan Water Industries. Inc.
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It is often reported that Japan’s entire infrastructure is aging. About 40 years ago, a report entitled “America in Ruins” issued a warning about that country’s aging infrastructure. Now Japan is heading in the same direction. Deterioration is evident in our entire infrastructure, including bridges, roads, tunnels, water supply, and sewerage systems.
Regarding waterworks facilities, the coverage by the water supply system reached over 98% many years ago. Since then, everyone in Japan has had access to tap water anytime and anywhere. Whenever we turn on a tap, we can get clean drinking water. Therefore, people tend not to think about water. Unfortunately, however, waterworks facilities have become extremely vulnerable to abnormal events, due to complex factors, such as aging facilities, and structural problems, such as insufficient earthquake-proofing, as well as human resource problems, such as a shortage of experienced engineers. If an abnormal event were to occur, the water supply could soon be cut off. Though these problems have become more conspicuous, they are rarely reported on, especially in the case of small-scale waterworks businesses.
The proportion of earthquake-resistant trunk mains is approximately 40%. (Only about 10% of all water pipes are earthquake-resistant). Only 0.7% of the country’s water pipes have been replaced. At this rate, it will take about 130 years to replace them all. Most facilities are becoming outdated. The proportion of earthquake-resistant water purification plants remains as low as 30%. If an earthquake or storm and flood damage occurs, water supply facilities will be damaged, causing cuts in the water supply. Due to a declining population, the development of new water sources, and the widespread use of water-saving equipment, vulnerability to droughts has decreased compared with the past. But when serious disasters occur every year due to extreme weather events caused by climate change, all we can do is take emergency measures. I think one effective measure is establishing a regional-scale water supply system by merging small facilities, which would be in charge of all aspects, including operations, maintenance, renovation, and renewal based on a long-term plan. It is unfortunate, however, that most municipalities are unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
The government’s budget for all public works projects has decreased by half compared with its peak period. I am afraid that few people know that the budget allocated to waterworks projects has decreased to 40% of its peak on the basis of the initial budget. The government’s budget is closely linked to the total amount of investment in construction of waterworks facilities. As the budget decreases, so does the total amount of investment. The size of the current budget is not sufficient for dealing with the deteriorating infrastructure. Therefore, it seems difficult to hand over the infrastructure to future generations. In the United States, the Biden administration has announced a medium-to-long term economic policy as a pandemic relief measure, pledging enormous investments in transportation infrastructure (promoting the use of electric cars, and improving roads and bridges) and other infrastructure essential for daily life (low-cost housing and waterworks). I hope that the Japanese government will do the same.
The term “SDGs” is prevalent nowadays. I feel it is often used in a condescending tone towards developing countries. Problems related to water and sanitation are not only problems of developing countries, but also those of ourselves living in, so to speak, a declining society. I was surprised to see a video which showed a collapsing aqueduct in Wakayama City. I am sure there are many other similar structures. The present generation is responsible for improving the water infrastructure, so that future generations will be able to enjoy a reliable water supply. To this end, I believe that further investment in infrastructure is indispensable.
(Source: NIPPON SUIDO SHINBUN)
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・Announcement from the Japan Water Forum
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– Join us! The 5th JWF Webinar about Regional Inclusive Public-Private Collaboration for Water Conservation
This webinar will explain the public-private groundwater conservation projects underway between Kumamoto City and the neighboring municipalities that share its groundwater resources. By getting the word out about these groundwater conservation projects, we hope to contribute to achieving SDG #6.
Date and Time: 24th November 2021/ 4:00～5:00PM(JST)
Speaker: Mr. Tsutomu Nagata, Senior Councilor of the Environment Bureau and Director of the Water Conservation Section, Kumamoto City
Topics: Regional Inclusive Public-Private Collaboration for Water Conservation
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/18828/
(Reported by Reiko Yoshii, Manager)
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・Report from the Japan Water Forum
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– 5th Joint Executive Committee (JEC) Meeting of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
The 5th JEC meeting took place on 26 October, 2021 via web conference with the participation of 17 JEC members from Japan and overseas including Chair, Mr. Yoshiro Mori(President, Asia-Pacific Water Forum/ Former Prime Minister of Japan) and Vice-chair Mr. Kazufumi Onishi (Mayor of Kumamoto City).
The secretariat presented the format of the meeting and the structure of the summit based on the coronavirus infection situation in each country. At the same time, they explained that the 4th APWS is positioned in the UN resolution as one of the milestones towards the mid-term review of the International Decade for Action on water for Sustainable Development . We received many constructive comments from each committee member on the format of the summit, as well as on the themes of the breakout sessions and how to proceed with the integration sessions.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/18821/
(Reported by Reiko Yoshii, Manager)
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– The outcomes of the APWF 27th Governing Council Meeting
The Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), which Japan Water Forum acts as its secretariat, organized its 27th Governing Council Meeting on 20 October 2021 online. Forty-eight officials from the APWF members, Kumamoto City, co-hosts of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS), and the 4th APWS host supporting organizations in Japan joined the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ravi Narayanan and Ms. Changhua Wu in their capacities as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governing Council of APWF. APWF Secretariat shared the 4th APWS organizing plan to decide the conference style to organize it on 23-24 April 2022. APWF Secretariat also presented their updated ideas about the thematic discussion points to hear the APWF members’ opinions and feedbacks about the Skelton document of the 4th APWS declaration and how to connect the Summit Declaration document with the Parallel Thematic and Integrated Process Sessions. The participants also discussed the way of preparation of each parallel thematic session.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/18848/
(Reported by Yumiko Asayama, Manager)
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– 4℃ AQUA PROGRAM 2021 started!
AQUA PROGRAM is a joint project with a jewelry brand “4℃” and Japan Water Forum.
It aims to bring “beauty” and “inspire” the women in developing countries who face serious water and hygiene problems by addressing water issues.
Since it’s establishment in 2008, projects have been carried out in the Republic of Kiribati, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/18825/
(Reported by Miyo Tabata, Assistant Manager)
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JWF News Vol. 205 / 17 November 2021
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