Looking toward the future of the water supply businessトップメッセージ

Akira Koizumi
Distinguished Professor, Doctor of Engineering, and Professional Engineer (water supply andsewerage) for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University.
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan University, he worked asa waterworks consultant for 10 years. He became a Lecturer at the Tokyo Metropolitan University
Department of Engineering in 1980, an Assistant Professor in 1983, and a Professor in 1994.
He has been a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 2005,a Distinguished Professor since 2012, and the Director of the Research Center for Water System
Engineering since 2015. His specialty is water system engineering. He has experience serving on thegovernment, the Japan Water Works Association (JWWA), the Japan Water Research Center (JWRC),and a number of water utilities.

Waterworks have moved from an era of installation and expansion to one of maintenance and renewal.
Pursuing efficient and economical operation and maintenance that can respond to changes in the businessenvironment, and the sustainability of a safe and secure water environment. It is our responsibility to provide that forfuture generations.

Nowadays, “gratitude” for waterworks is gradually being
forgotten, instead being replaced with a sense of them
being “a matter of fact”
Our country’s waterworks have achieved a high level ofcoverage of 98%, providing a safe and stable water supply likeno other in the world. I believe this is the result of the untiring
efforts of water suppliers, forward-looking investments
in facilities, and the development and innovation of newtechnologies. On the other hand, it can also be said that trustand cooperation on the part of citizens and local residents havehelped to build the world’s highest level of water supply.
However, recently when I hear about waterworks, it’s that
their existence is “a matter of fact”, and that if there is evena slight problem, complaints will not stop. For example, in thepast it was said that tea would be given out when work on
water pipes was being done, but now it seems that with thequake-proofing work for pipelines being performed, it is not tea
being served, but complaints. I believe that this is because theworld is forgetting about the gratitude they should be having
for waterworks in the first place. When I ask students whoare just starting school at Tokyo Metropolitan University, they
understand the value of tap water, but aren’t sure about any

toward the next generation. In other words, the 21st century
is the time to rebuild our waterworks.To that end, industry,government, and academia must work together to integrate
their superior technologies and ingenuity into a next-generationwater system that is “for the benefit of the world and all itspeople”.
Cooperation among industry, government, and academia
is essential for the realization of next-generationwaterworks
It is said that waterworks assets amount to about 46 trillion
yen, of which close to 70% are pipelines, or so-called waterpipes, and which span approximately 680,000 kilometers
throughout Japan. This corresponds to a distance of 17
revolutions around the Earth’s equator, and these pipelines
must be properly renewed. Recent pipelines are manufactured
with a lifetime of 100 years, so a renewal rate of at least 1%
is necessary. However, at the current renewal rate of 0.75%,[Fig. 1] Main themes of the Research Center
for Water System Engineeringof the details behind it, including how it is normally purified
and distributed, how used water is collected and purified once
more, etc. I think this lack of understanding leads to a “virtualworld” where we believe that our present conveniences will
last forever, without any effort on our parts.
This “matter of fact” thinking is not only showing theindifference residents have regarding waterworks, but is also a
dangerous sign that gratitude is disappearing.
Technology and research must always be moved forward in apositive way, as it is said that if you stop, you will start moving
backwards. I think we are entering an era in which we are notsatisfied with the current situation, and are taking new steps

METAWATER REPORT 2020

as research on water treatment processes, an appropriate
renewal plan for pipeline systems, and an investigation ofdeterioration factors in waterworks facilities. (2) covers

renewed in a timely manner and need to be robust enough towithstand disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. Only
when these facilities and pipelines come together can safe anddelicious tap water be supplied.
Five years ago, Tokyo Metropolitan University establishedthe “Research Center for Water System Engineering” withthe aim of realizing a “next-generation water system” that
could continuously supply safe and delicious water. The
three pillars of the Center’s research are (1) water operation
planning, (2) next-generation pipeline systems, and (3) nextgeneration water resource management. (1) covers topics suchpreventive maintenance of water leakage accidents and controlof tap water quality. (3) covers management of reservoir water
quality and investigation of river catchments. The water supply
field is closely related to all faculties in the university (notonly engineering but also science, law, economics, sociology,psychology, international studies, etc.), and I believe it is truly
a comprehensive academic field. [Fig. 1]
It is clear that the cooperation of industry, government,
and academia mentioned above is essential to sustain andstrengthen our aging and deteriorating water system for thefuture. [Fig. 2][Fig. 2] Prospective image of waterworks in the future(dammed lakes and rivers)

Management offouling matter in pipes

Water operationplanning sector
Water leakage
prevention and non-revenuewater management

Analysis of groundwater
volume and quality

Water
resources sector

Pipeline system
sectorDelicious water(water treatment facilities)

Facility renewal plans

Quantification andevaluation offacility deterioration

Next-generation information
management system

GPS utilization
Location information is used to measureaccurate data of the constructedpipelines in normal times. Monitoring
for abnormalities is carried out in thecase of a disaster.

(water quality, energy saving)

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan University Research Center for Water System Engineering pamphlet

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it will take more than 130 years, which is far from acceptable.
This will leave a “negative legacy” for the future.
Similarly, water treatment and water source facilities must be

Water operation plans
Water source water
quality management

Management and Operations Overview

Public-private partnerships are an unstoppable global
trend moving toward next-generation water systems
from a long-term perspective

Disaster prevention
information center

Data from sensors can be centrally managed,
and accurate pipe network analyses and design
integration hazard maps can be used, centeredon piping diagrams. It also cooperates with thedisaster prevention information center.

Cloud computing
Saves big data. Backups occur
automatically. Facilitates cooperation
with other business entities.

Various sensors
Various sensors are placed in
key points of pipelines, suchas access chambers, valves,etc. They wirelessly transmit
data such as water pressure,flow rate, and water quality.

Construction
management system• Remote control of automatedconstruction machinery.
• Construction is possible under poorconditions.
• Tablets are used to check piping
diagrams, etc., sent from theinformation management system.

Smart meters
They wirelessly transmit datasuch as water pressure, flow
rate, and water quality.
Source: Pipe Stars Project Report, Japan Water Research Center

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Looking toward the future of the water supply businessトップメッセージand AI, “human power” remains important
In the late 1970s, when I was working as a consultant,
I was in charge of a number of wide area water supply
projects, and while I recognized the need to fully consider
the history and climate of the target area, I felt the need fora “greater area that transcended prefectural boundaries” interms of management and technology. As I encounter theexhausted reality of small- and medium-sized water supply
businesses today, I am keenly aware of the need for wider area
management. This is just one proposal, but if we focus on thetechnological capabilities of specific private companies (orJV is also possible), I believe it is possible to technologicallymonitor numerous small- and medium-sized waterworks.
For example, nearly 10 years ago I was surprised when I visitedthe waterworks in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Seven
water treatment plants scattered across a vast water supply
area were being remotely controlled and operated by a single
private engineer on an iPad. As ICT and IoT technologies
continue to advance along with the evolution of AI, weare entering an era in which a wide range of areas can bemanaged. With the latest technology from private companies,
waterworks management for large areas is no longer just adream. Needless to say, however, it is necessary to improvethe various laws and institutions and make efforts to connect5pipes for the first time in Japan. They are searching for a newwide area cooperation that covers not only the Hachinohe area
as a wide area water supply, but also the northern area of

was undulating, and the turbidity of the water treated in thesedimentation tank was high, placing a heavy burden on thesubsequent filtration tank. Meanwhile, workers were sweating

Expect management and optimal investments fromprivate companies, and opportunities for young people
involved in waterworks to play an active role

Iwate Prefecture, crossing prefectural borders. Alternatively,
the introduction of private-sector participation in the waterover low wages due to the staggering labor gap, while highly
educated, high-income “high class” operators made decisionssupply business in Aizuwakamatsu City, which I assisted withfrom the planning stage, is centered on collaboration between
companies with outstanding water treatment technologies
and management capabilities, and local companies that are

based only on inaccurately measured numbers, without everlooking at the site itself. [Photo 2]
This is just one example, but we often see water technologies
that took us 100 years to grow being introduced in emerging

The worldwide trend toward public-private partnerships
is unstoppable, and will further increase with the passageof time. With this, the work traditionally performed by thepublic will instead be done privately, but I urge us to place

well-versed in local conditions. This “Aizuwakamatsu method”
has attracted nationwide attention and is the new “wisdom”
created by human power and the human heart.[Photo 1]

countries in a sudden leap. In other countries, despite frequent
blackouts on a daily basis, I have seen water treatment
plants that are “fully automated” yet are unable to fulfill their
original functions. Going from 0 to 100 isn’t feasible, as things[Photo 1] Takizawa Water Treatment Plant in Aizuwakamatsu City

[Photo 2] Nzove Water Treatment Plant in Kigali (photo by author)

the world of fiction with the world of reality. In this area, you
may find management points where private companies canplay an active role.
Waterworks are systems with their feet firmly planted to theground, and we have no choice but to rely on human power

It is important to not only sell things, but to train people
when providing overseas support
Many companies are turning their attention to overseas waterbusiness, but there are various risks involved in working
overseas, and a perfect batting average is just not possible. I

generally need to develop over time, but those in charge seemto always want the latest cutting-edge technology. For the sakeof the community, I believe that it is important to introduce asystem appropriate for the actual situation with courage andconviction.

in cases of emergency construction, disasters, etc. In thethink that normally, Japanese companies should be responsible

One example of this is the “MaWaSu”, the Project forfuture, this work may be replaced by robots, but ultimately
the premise of “human power” cannot be eliminated. I believethat perspective of “human power” will become especially
important in Japan. What underlies this is the “human heart”,
which sincerely addresses the ideal form of “sustainability”

for the ODA budget, but in reality, often times it is foreigncompanies who are responsible for this.
Two years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the waterworks for
the Republic of Rwanda (formerly a Belgian territory), locatedin East Africa. At a water treatment plant in the capital city ofImprovement of Management Capacity of Water Supply
Sector, with the aim of improving the management capabilities
of Water Supply Authorities in Laos. “MaWaSu” provides
technical assistance in close proximity with local engineers,and I think this is what our country should be doing. In otherfor waterworks in each region. For an advanced example ofKigali, an instrumentation facility was installed by a Turkishwords, I believe that the most important aspect of technicalthis, look at the Hachinohe Regional Water Supply Authority
in Aomori Prefecture, known for adopting earthquake-resistantcompany and controlled using the latest equipment, known asa SCADA system. However, the water surface of the clarifierassistance regarding waterworks is not just selling things, but
training people first.

METAWATER REPORT 2020

Management and Operations Overview

Even if wide area waterworks management becomes
possible thanks to the evolution of ICT/IoT technology

great importance on the feeling that “waterworks are for thebenefit of the world and all its people”. I also hope that wewill continue to put forth effort to develop technology andimplement various ideas. To that end, it is important to work
together with a long-term perspective to the greatest extent
possible, and I hope that a mentality of cutting corners andproviding cheap products driven by a desire for short-term
profits will not prevail.
The elements of a water system are diverse and sustained
based on multifaceted assessments. The unit of time for thismust be considered from a perspective of at least 100 years,
or even 1000 years in some cases. Up to now, I’ve been sayingthat the public side considers water resources and pipelines on
a 50- to 100-year-plus basis, while the private side pursues theefficiency and economics of facilities such as water treatment
plants on a 10- to 20-year basis, believing that public-private
partnerships would combine the best of both worlds.
In the future, expectations will be placed on private companies
not only from the perspective of construction, operation andmaintenance, but also from the perspective of management
and optimal investment based on renewal.
Furthermore, it is important to give opportunities to the next
generation of young people who are interested in the field ofwater supply and carry out public relations activities in whichyoung people want to be involved. Education and research on
the waterworks at universities and high schools are of course
necessary, but I am looking forward to the arrival of an era inwhich water supply-related fields grow significantly and young
people will be able to play an active role in supporting futurewater systems.

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