New Research Project on Drinking Water Quality Management
Masahiro Fujiwara
Japan Water Research Center

1. Introduction
Currently, a considerable number of water purification plants in Japan are due for renewal within thenext ten years. Also, when comparing the current water resource quality with that at the time of plant
construction, the ratio of dam water (discharge/storage) to surface water relatively increased, and water
quality has worsened due to development in the surrounding region. Furthermore, as is the case withcryptosporidium, there is a problem with pathogenic microorganisms that are resistant to chlorine
disinfection. Meanwhile, in order to respond to consumer needs for safe and palatable water,
contamination counter-measures against odor-causing compounds, including 2-MIB and geosmin, arevital to the water utilities.
The Japan Water Research Center (hereinafter JWRC) has employed the following kinds of methods
in water technology research and development for about the past 20 years. Using Grant-in-Aid for
Scientific Research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and research contributions fromprivate companies as funds, the JWRC has carried out large-scale research projects through cooperation ofprivate companies, water utilities and scholars. In these industry-utility-academia research anddevelopment projects, the research objective was to develop a technology that could actually be used inpractice. A good example of the success of this research is membrane filtration technology. The
researched and developed membrane filtration technology was put into practical use, and is now in use atmany water purification plants around the country. The aforementioned industry-utility-academia researchsystem is unique to Japan, and it is thought to be a method well suited to Japanese society.

2. History of research projects
As shown in Table-1, with regards to water purification technology, research started in 1991 with
Pilot Plant for MF/UF Membrane (MAC21), then went on to Pilot Plant for NF Membrane (AdvancedMAC21). Next came R&D on High-Efficiency Water Purification Technology (ACT21). Following that
there was R&D on Sustainable Water Purification Technology (e-Water), which finished the fiscal year
before last, and now we have the 5th project, R&D on the Establishment of Advanced Water Purification
Technology for Safe and Palatable Water (e-Water II). Pipeline technology research and development
projects also began in 1996, and after finishing research on a water service system without receiving tankYear
1991～1993
1994～1996
1997～2001
2002～2004
2005～2007

Table-1

Research & Development Projects

Project Name
MAC21
Advanced-MAC21
ACT21
e-WaterEpoch
e-WaterⅡ
New Epoch

Content
Pilot Plant for MF / UF Membrane
Pilot Plant for NF Membrane
R&D on High-efficiency Water Purification Technology
R&D on Sustainable Water Purification Technology
R&D on Movement of Suspended Solid in Pipeline
R&D on the Establishment of Advanced Water Purification Technology
R&D on Pipeline Diagnosis Technology- 299 -

and an earthquake-resistant pipeline system, work began in 2002 on R&D on Movement of Suspended
Solid in Pipeline (Epoch). R&D on Pipeline Diagnosis Technology (New Epoch) has been ongoing since2005.
The development and diffusion of membrane water purification plants are a representation of thesuccess originating from these research and development projects. Since the introduction of 7 plants(600m3/d) around the country in 1993, the number of those plants has grown year by year and as of now(March 2006), the number has reached 550 plants with an accumulated plant capacity of 622,650m3/d.

Number ofof Plants
PlantsNumber

55000044000033000022000011000000

NuNumbe
mberr ooff Plan
Plantsts
Total
Treatment
Capacity
Total
Tenntt CCapac
Total
Teratmeratme
apacityity

555500 770000

600

444422 662222 6 0 0337744332211229911225533
336622220033224400116633220033
1100881155556688
1122004444
6600 7788
77 99 1199313
1
11 11 22 66 1133
※Including under construction

550000440000330000220000110000TotalTreatment
TreatmentCapacity
Capacity(1000m3/day)(1000m3/day)
Total

66000000'93'93 '94'94 '95'95 '96'96 '97'97 '98'98 '99'99 '00'00 '01'01 '02'02 '03'03 '04'04 '05'05 '06
'06
Year
Year
Figure-1 Membrane Water Purification Plants in Japan (researched by JWRC in 2006)

3. Recent Research Results and Ongoing Research Projects
3.1

Research Project Organization and Scale
To facilitate its smooth implementation, the ongoing water purification research project has beenorganized into 4 committees such as The General Research Committee for integration of researchcontents. There are five research sub-committees under the committee for each specific research theme.
The pipeline technology research project has been organized so that for each research theme, two research
sub-committees are working under the Pipeline Research Committee.
With regards to the scale of the projects, the water purification technology project involves 32 privatecompanies, 18 university scholars, and 25 water utilities and related organizations. The number of
researchers exceeds 150. The pipeline technology project involves 14 private companies, 7 university
scholars, and 16 water utilities. The total research budget is US $6,000,000, which comprises of direct
expense only. (e-Water II makes up US $5,000,000 and New Epoch makes up US $1,000,000.)
3.2

Water Purification Technology Research Contents
The fundamentals of the 3-year e-Water Project starting in 2002 were summarized and published as
Guideline for introduction of large-scale membrane filtration facilities, Guideline for use of iron-based and- 300 -

organic-polymer coagulants, Guideline for introduction of Ultraviolet-Rays (UV) disinfection, andManual of integrated treatment for sludge from water purification plant and sewage treatment plant.
The ongoing 3-year e-Water II Project, which started in FY2005, is conducting a research on thefollowing themes:.
(1) Research on a Suitable Purification System in Accordance with Raw Water Conditions
Raw water conditions nationwide are classified into groups based on water quality. They are then,through a water purification system implementing a combination of unit water purification processes,
evaluated on such criteria as safety of treated water quality, sustainability and manageability, economicaluse of energy, a Life Cycle Assessment taking into account reduced environmental burden, drainage andsludge treatment process, and monitoring and instrumentation systems, and suitable water purification
process guidelines are then investigated.
• The classification of treatment systems and the establishment of desirable treated water quality
levels• The study of coagulant dosage, mixing conditions and pretreatment methods with regard to the
combination of membrane filtration treatment and iron-based coagulant (Plant experiment)• Measurement, analysis and evaluation of raw water quality• Evaluation of water quality and function in each purification process• Establishment of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) techniquePhoto-1

Pilot Plant(2) Research on Odor-Causing Compounds for Safe and Palatable Water
Traditionally, 2-MIB and geosmin have been statedas being the representative odorants. However, there are
instances where even though these two substances havenot been detected in the raw water, odors still occur after
the purification treatment, or at the water taps. It may bethat odor-causing compounds present in the raw water are
denatured in the chlorine process, and then forms some
sort of odorants.
In order to supply safe and palatable water, we are
Photo-2 Odor-Causing Compound Detection
carrying out research which will improve on safety andEquipment (VOC Monitoring System)- 301 -

comfort through such means as promptly detecting unknown odor-causing compounds, changing themethod of water intake, and advancing the water purification process.
• Simulation by means of water quality prediction models• Creation of hazard maps
• Examination of counter-measure technologies against odor-causing compounds (including
2-MIB, geosmin)• Implementation of online observation experiments using VOC monitoring system
3.3

Pipeline Technology Research Contents
The 3-year Epoch Project, which started in FY2002, elucidated the condition of the movement ofsuspended solid in the pipeline. In addition, research was carried out on the effective usage of energy bysmall generator in the pipelines, and practical apparatus was developed.
Regarding the ongoing 3-year New Epoch Project, “R&D on Pipeline Diagnosis Technology”,
which started in 2005, the following themes are being researched.

Residual Chlorine Concentration (mg/L)(1) Research on Water Quality Deterioration in Decrepit Pipeline and Preventive Measures
Using the decrease and disappearance of residual chlorine as a main indicator, investigate methods todiagnose and evaluate the deterioration status of inside the pipes, and developing a pipeline function
diagnosis technology in terms of water quality.
• Investigation of the relationship between water quality and decrease in residual chlorine• Investigation of the relationship between pipeline material and decrease in residual chlorine• Examination of actual water quality in decrepit pipelines• Examination of water deterioration prevention by improving the Langelier's Index

Time Passed (hrs)
Figure-2

Changes over Time in Residual Chlorine Concentration- 302 -

With regards to the investigation into the relationship between pipeline material and the decrease inresidual chlorine, samples were taken from underground pipelines of various types that had been
constructed in different years. These pipes were filled with water (residual chlorine concentration
1.0-1.2mg/l, pH7.0). The changes over time in residual chlorine concentration and various water qualities
were measured. The results confirmed that the non-lining cast-iron pipe and the non-coated iron pipe
showed a trend of decreased residual chlorine.
(2) Research on Diagnosis Technology of Decrepit Pipeline
By making use of statistical as well as physical methods, develop a new diagnostic technology toeasily and efficiently determine the condition of underground pipeline, and consider its application toexisting pipeline.
• Study of existing pipeline diagnosis technology• Examination of diagnosis method of decrepit pipeline using statistical method• Basic research towards No-Dig diagnosis

Amp and High Speed Wave
Form Collection System
Impact Position

Computer
Pipe Specimen

Photo-3

Acceleration
SensorImpact-elastic wave method Experiment

4. Conclusion
The objective of the ongoing study is to create suitable water purification process selection guidelines
for various raw water conditions, conducted research on counter-measures for odor-causing compounds inorder to supply palatable water, and carry out research on pipeline diagnosis technology for systematicand efficient pipeline renewal, and deliver safe and palatable water. We intend to continue to endeavor toachieve our objectives, and utilize the knowledge gained from every participant to further our research.
2-8-1 Toranomon Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0001, Japan- 303 -

e-mail:fujiwara@jwrc-net.or.jp

OutlineNew
New Research
Research Project
Project ononDrinking
Drinking Water
Water Quality
Quality
Management
Management

Tripartite Industry-Utilities-Academia R&D
on Water Technology■ History of JWRC R&D Projects■ Research Budget

Masahiro FUJIWARA■ Projects and its Results

President
The Japan Water Research Center“e-Water” & “e-Water II” for Purification Technology“Epoch” & “New Epoch” for Pipeline Technology

Japan-U.S. Governmental Conference on Drinking Water Quality
Management and Wastewater control in 2007, Okinawa
1

2

Large Scale R&Ds

Previous Projects
JWRC has a 20-year experience with conducting large-scale
research projects.
■ Research subsidies from the Ministry of Health, Labour andTerm

ProjectName

1991– 93

MAC21

1994– 96Welfare■ Research contributions from private companies■ Objectives: Development of “practical technology”■ Successful Example: Membrane Filtration Technology withhigh efficiency

1997–
2001

Themes

Pilot Plant for MF / UF Membrane

AdvancedPilot Plant for NF Membrane
MAC21
ACT21

R&D on High-efficiency Purification Technology

e-WaterR&D on Sustainable Purification Technology

Epoch

R&D on Movement of SS in Pipelines

2002– 04
WHAT DOES JWRC DO?
JWRC, a non-profit public organization being established in1988, has
contributed to the development of water-related technology in Japan byconducting information collection, research and development activities on
the overall field of waterworks.

e-Water II
2005– 07

3

New
Epoch

R&D on Establishment of Advanced Purification
Technology
R&D on Pipeline Diagnosis Technology

4“e-Water” Pilot Plant

Organization
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare

Universities
Public Water
Utilities

PrivateCompanies

Japan Water Research Center

5

6“e-Water” Experimental Fields
Osaka Prefectural
Waterworks
Department
Murano Purification
Plant

Oita City
Waterworks Bureau
Furugo Purification
Plant

Fukuoka City
Waterworks
BureauOtogana
Purification Plant

Osaka City
Waterworks Bureau
Kunijima Purification
Plant

Research on Movement ofSuspended Solids in Pipelines,
etc.

Aichi Prefectural
Enterprise Board
Toyokawa
Purification Plant
Imaichi City
Waterworks
Department
Senoo Purification Plant

Hanshin Water
Supply Authority
Inagawa
Purification Plant

Fukuoka City
Waterworks
BureauTataraPurification
Plant

Ogose Town
Waterworks
Department
Daima
Purification Plant

Kanagawa Water
Supply Authority
Ayase
Purification Plant“Epoch” Experimental Pipeline Facility

Yokohama City
Water Works
BureauKawai
Purification Plant

Ichihara
City Water
BureauArai
Purification
Plant

Okinawa
Prefectural
EnterpriseBureauIshikawa
Purification
Plant

7

8

- 304 -

Budget and Researchers (2005- 07)■■

Necessity and BackgroundTotal Budget for Direct Expense Only: US$6 million
・ US$5 million for “e-Water II” (Purification Technology）
・ US$1 million for “New Epoch” (Pipeline Technology）

Purification Facility
Challenges
・Large Number of Decrepit Facilities
・Strengthen Water Quality Standards
・Water Resource Quality → Change
Water Resource Trends：From River Surface Water to
Water from Dam Reservoirs
Cryptosporidium
Odor-Causing Compound

Participating Organizations
・ “e-Water II” : 32 Private Companies
18 Scholars
25 Water Utilities (incl. Related Organizations)・ “New Epoch” ：14 Private Companies
7 Scholars
16 Water Utilities

Research Target

Number of Researchers： approx. 200■

Development of Advanced and Efficient Purification
Technology

9

Purification Plant Construction Fiscal Year(categorized by treatment type)25,000Slow
Sand Sand
Filtration
Low
Speed
Filtration

20,000Changes in Turbidity of Raw Water

Rehabilitation/replacement must
be taken within the next 10 years.

100

MembraneFiltration
Filtration
Membrane% frequency
and accumulation% 頻度累積Capacity（1000m3/day）

Rapid
SandSand
Filtration
High
Speed
Filtration10

15,00010,000Over 40 years old

5,000

75

50

25

1950

1961

1970

1980

1990

2000

2002

0
-1940

1941-1950

1951-1960

1961-1970

1971-1980

1981-1990

1991-

0
0

Construction Fiscal Year

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Kaolinカオリン濁度（度）Turbidity (degrees)

Reference: “Waterworks Vision Basic Data” 1112

Outcomes

Necessity and Background■

Pipeline Facility“e-Water” (2002- 04)

・Large Number of Decrepit Pipelines→ Water Quality Deterioration in Pipelines
Increased Water Leakage
Vulnerable to Earthquake

・ Guidelines on the introduction of membrane filtration facilities based on
experiments conducted in large-scale plants
・ Guidelines on the introduction of iron-based and organic polymer
coagulants
・ Guidelines on the introduction of Ultraviolet-Ray (UV) Disinfection
・ Manual of integrated treatment for sludge from purification plants andsewage treatment plants.

Research Target■

・Pipeline Diagnosis Technology
・Countermeasures for Pipeline Water Quality Deterioration

・ Identify the movement of suspended solids in pipelines
・ Propose a removal system for suspended solids in pipelines
・ Develop a hydraulic generator system

Challenges“Epoch” (2002- 04)

13

14

Membrane Filtration Plants in Japan

300
200
100
0

374
321
291
253
362
203
240
163
203
108
155
68
120
44
60 78
7 9 1931
1 1 2 6 13

(Including under construction)

500
400
300
200
100
0

(1000m3/d)

400

600

442 622 600

Total Treatment
Treatment Capacity
Capacity (1000m3/day)(1000m3/day)
Total

NumberofPlants
PlantsNumber ofof
PlantsNumber500

Number of Plants
Total Treatment
Total
TeratmentCapacity
Capacity

Total treatment capacity

550 700

600

ＵＦ Membrane Filtration Unit (10(10,000ｍ
00ｍ3/day)'93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06
Year
15

16

- 305 -

Monitoring of Suspended Solids
at a Pipe Branch

Ongoing Projects■■

Ｔ-Pipe：100 Sand
Pipe：φ150×φ
150×φ100

Purification Technology“e-Water II” (2005- 07)
Pipeline Technology“New Epoch” (2005- 07)

17

18“e-Water II” Project“e-Water II”: Theme 1

Research Themes■ Type classification of treatment systems and level

Establishment
Establishment ofof advanced
advanced purification
purification technology
technology forfor
safe
safeand
andpalatablepalatablewater
water

establishment of desirable purified water quality■ Measurement, analysis and evaluation of raw water quality

Theme 1
Suitable purification system in accordance withraw water conditions

Evaluation of water quality and function in each purification
process■ Establishment of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Theme 2
Effective measures against odor-causing
compounds aiming at safe and palatable water
19

20

Experimental Plant

Experimental Plant Flow Diagram

MixingTank

Clarifier

Flocculation
Basin

Sand Filtration
Tank＜System Ａ＞
Coagulation-Sedimentation
Membrane Filtration＋＜System Ｂ＞
Direct Filtration＋Membrane
Filtration

Direct Filtration
Tower

Direct Filtration Raw
Water Tank

Coagulation-Sedimentation

Membrane Filtration Equipment

21

22

An example of LCA study

Plant Experimentation

40

5

20

0

0

23

- 306 -

Wastewater
排水トラフ
Trough10

Inlet流入装置
Apparatus

60

ろ材
Filter Media

15

Wastewater
排水装置
Apparatus

80

Sand
Filter
砂ろ過池

To determine optimum coagulation conditions, coagulation
dosage, mixing intensity and others are being studied.

20

Piping/ Valves
配管・弁類

System B： Coagulation → Direct Filtration →Membrane Filtration

100

Secondarybattery
付帯電気

System A：Coagulation → Flocculation → Sedimentation→ Membrane Filtration

25

Water Collection
集水装置
Apparatus

Years)
LC-E (106 MJ/60年）

Control system: Coagulation → Flocculation →Sedimentation → Sand Filtration

Accumulation
rate ( % )累積比率（％）

Energy Consumption at Sand Filtration System

Cleaning
洗浄装置
Apparatus

Membrane Filtration

Membrane Filtration Equipment

24

Odor-Causing Compounds Detection Equipment(VOC Monitoring System)“e-Water II”: Theme 2

Gas Chromatograph

Sampling Apparatus■ Simulation by means of water quality prediction models■ Creation of hazard maps
■ Implementation of online observation experiments using a
VOC monitoring system

25

26

Research on Water Quality Deterioration in
Decrepit Pipelines and Preventive Measures“New Epoch”: Research Theme

Investigation of the Relationshipbetween Pipeline Material
and Decreaseof Residual Chlorine

Investigation
Investigation ofof thethe Relationship
Relationshipbetweenbetween Water
Water Quality
Qualityandand Decrease
Decreaseofof Residual
Residual Chlorine
Chlorine■ Research on water quality deterioration in

decrepit pipelines and preventive measures■ Research on diagnosis technology for decrepit

pipelines
Examination of Water Quality
Examination of Water Quality
Deterioration Prevention by Improvingof Actual Decrepit Pipelines
the Langelier's Index

27

28

Examples of Specimen Pipes

Relationship Between Pipeline Material and Decrease in Residual Chlorine

Changes Over Time in Residual Chlorine Concentration
1.2①鋳鉄管（CIP）無ﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,S41①Cast-Iron Pipe,Non-Lining,’66②Cast-Iron Pipe,Non-Lining,’54②鋳鉄管（CIP）無ﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,S29
Residual 残留塩素濃度（mg/L）
Chlorine Concentration (mg/L)

1.0Cast-Iron Pipe,Non-Lining,’54⑩,⑫③ﾀﾞｸﾀｲﾙ鋳鉄管（DIP）ﾓﾙﾀﾙﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,S41③
Ductile Iron Pipe,Mortar Lining,’66④ﾀﾞｸﾀｲﾙ鋳鉄管（DIP）ﾓﾙﾀﾙﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,S52④
Ductile Iron Pipe,Mortar Lining,’77

0.8

⑥

⑪

⑤
Ductile Iron Pipe,Mortar Lining,New⑤ﾀﾞｸﾀｲﾙ鋳鉄管（DIP）ﾓﾙﾀﾙﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,新管⑥Ductile Iron Pipe,Epoxy Resin⑨⑦鋼管（SP）無ﾗｲﾆﾝｸﾞ,S14⑦SteelPipe, Non-Lining,’39③⑥ﾀﾞｸﾀｲﾙ鋳鉄管（DIP）ｴﾎﾟｷｼ粉体塗装,新管④0.6

Powder Coating Lining,New⑨⑧塩ﾋﾞ管（HIVP）,S46⑧Hard
PVC Pipe, ’71

⑤
0.4

⑧

⑨塩ﾋﾞ管（HIVP）,S50⑨Hard
PVC Pipe, ’75⑩塩ﾋﾞ管（VP）,新管⑩PVC Pipe, New

0.2⑪Polyethylene Pipe, Year of laying⑪ﾎﾟﾘｴﾁﾚﾝ管（PE）,埋設年不明
underground uncertainty①,②,⑦⑫ﾎﾟﾘｴﾁﾚﾝ管（PE）,新管⑫ Polyethylene Pipe, New

0.0

Steel Pipe, Non-Lining,’39

0

1

2

3

29

Basic Research
towards No-Dig
Diagnosis

Research on Diagnosis Technology
of Decrepit Pipeline

4

5
6
24
Time Passed (hrs)
経過時間（hr）

48

72

120 168
30

100

150

100

Acceleration Sensor

ImpactPosition
1000

ImpactElastic Wave Relationship of Position between a Pipe Specimen(1m Pipe) and Impact and Vibration
Method150

Sand Layer

Unit：〔mm〕

Basic Research towards
No-Dig Diagnosis- Impact Elastic Waves- Sound Waves- Electromagnetic Waves

Amp and High Speed Wave
Form Collection System

Examination of Diagnosis
Method of Decrepit Pipeline
Using Statistical Method

Impact Position

Computer
Pipe Specimen

Acceleration
SensorMeasurement Conditions

31- 307 -

32

Presentations of Results

Publication

The 7th International Symposium on Water Supply Technology (Yokohama, Nov 22-24, 2006 )Report & Manual on “Epoch”

e-WaterII & New Epoch Seminar(Tokyo, Oct 24, 2006）

The 57th JWWA Water Research Conference( Nagasaki, May 24-26, 2006)33

Guidelines & Technical Data on “e-Water” 34

Thank
Thank you
you forforyour
your attention
attention
Please visit our Website at
http://www.jwrc-net.or.jp/

35- 308 -