Imparting Abundant Blessings from
Lake Biwa-Yodo River Basin toFuture Generations
Lake Biwa and the Yodo River, both gifted with beautiful nature and thebounty ofwater, have brought us healing and enriched our lives through theages, and together they continue to give us immeasurable benefits as a fountainof life, as well as the source of business activities.
However, due to rapid social development and alteration of lifestyles, thequality of water has deteriorated, causing many different problems in providing
drinking water and in the natural environment.
What we can do now is improve the hydrological environment of Lake Biwa
and the Yodo River, to ensure the health of this valuable asset and leave it tofuture generations.
As the only organization in the basin tackling the water quality preservation
issues of the Lake Biwa-Yodo River system by joining hands with local residents
and governments, the Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation
Organization plays a central role in fostering a vibrant society in the basin.

Research and Development in Water Quality Preservation
Research and Development in Water Purification TechnologyIn July 1997, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Water Agency's Kansai Branch, and Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation Organization together set up the JointExperiment Center for Water Purification on Lake Biwa-Yodo River (Biyo Center) at the mouth of the Hayama River, which flows
into Lake Biwa. This Biyo Center, on its very large premises of about 25,000 square meters, is conducting experiments for thedevelopment of water purification technology, especially the technology for purifying waters of rivers, lakes and marshes, and forcreation of a creature-friendly environment. So far, with "vegetation purification" and "soil purification" as the two main pillars for
its experimental activities, the center has conducted a wide range of experiments, including experiments on application of newtechnologies and new materials for water purification. Furthermore, the center has been inviting public participation since 1999,
in an effort to obtain ideas from a broad spectrum of businesses and universities for experiments on water purification
technologies and for promoting improvement of the hydrological environment of the Lake Biwa-Yodo River system.

About the Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation Organization (BYQ)
Purpose of Establishment

PurposeThe Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation

The organization's goal is to support water purifying activities
and such research and development as water purification
technology for the waters of the streams, lakes, and marshes
connected to the Yodo River system. By doing this, it canhelp maintain the quality of the waters and thus contribute to aOrganization is a nonprofit foundation formed in 1993 under
the authority of the Ministry of Construction for the purpose ofallowing the local governments of the areas that make use ofthe water from Lake Biwa and the Yodo River to work together
to take consistent measures to maintain water quality.
Supported by funds from 124 private companies and thegovernments of six prefectures and three ordinancedesignated cities around the lake and river, and by supporting
membership fees, the organization carries out numerous

better society for the region and a higher quality of life for its
residents.

activities to ensure that the waters are kept clean.

~~~~~
Water Quality Preservationof the Lake Biwa-Yodo
River System

Research and Development inWater Quality Preservation

Promotion of BYQ NetworkThree tools to help promote cooperation:)( "To Connect "To Support "To InformResearch concerning Conservation of
Hydrological Environment
The BYQ's Science Committee takes the initiative ininvestigating and reviewing timely subjects related to thehydrological environment of Lake Biwa and the Yodo River,and the results are published to allow universal access to all.
<Major Research Products So Far>
.Environmental impact assessment of 1994 drought on Lake
Biwa-Yodo River.Lake Biwa comprehensive conservation planning study.Survey on measures to reduce plane source load of Lake
Biwa-Yodo River.Survey on measures against eutrophication of Lake
Biwa-Yodo River.History of water quality improvement of the Lake Biwa-Yodo
River system in the 20th Century - Formulating newInternational Information/Technology Exchange
The BYQ is placing emphasis on interchange in the fields ofwater quality purification measures research, and technology
used in foreign countries. Four investigative missions havebeen sent to Europe, America and Canada so far, to study theaquatic improvement measures and water purification
technologies used in each country. After these investigative
missions, realizing the importance of continuous exchanges,
the BYQ signed agreements concerning research andtechnical interchange on water quality preservation with thefollowing organizations. The BYQ and these organizations
have also been jointly holding international symposiums.
.International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine.Balaton Association in Hungary.Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission

strategies for water preservation in the 21 st Century.Current status and measures against trace toxic substancesand pathogenic microorganisms in Lake Biwa-Yodo River

Lectures and Symposiums on
Aquatic Conservation
The BYQ gives lectures and holds
symposiums on aquaticconservation covering such topics
as water purification technologies

Main Operations Activities

used in the Yodo River system.

Technical research presentation

BYQ participated in the 100th Anniversary ofthe Balaton Association.

2Organization of Lake Biwa-Yodo RiverWater Quality Preservation Organization

To Support

Financial Assistance and Projects Supporting Water
Environment Improvement Activities
Financial Assistance for Water Environment Improvement
Financial Assistance for Water Environment Improvement
Projects in the Lake Biwa-Yodo River System
The Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation
Organization (BYQ) gives financial assistance for various
projects which are deemed to contribute to enhancement of
the effect and to higher efficiency of the projects, whencoupled with the national and local government-sponsoredwater environment improvement projects in the Lake
Biwa-Yodo River system. With the aim of promoting water
environment improvement in the Lake Biwa-Yodo River-

Major Rivers-Area Using Water fromthe Yedo River System-

Boundary of the Basin 01
the Yodo River Systemsystem, the BYQ also gives grants to water purification
projects and research carried out by public-interest
corporations, universities and research organizations in the.0-2

Organization FundScience Committee

Lake Biwa-Yodo River basin.

.3-4.5-7

3 billion yen, including 2 billion yen from the following governments: Prefectures

Chairmanof Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Nara, as well as the cities of Kyoto,
Osaka and Kobe, and the remaining one billion yen from the private sector (124companies).

Committee Member• BmglL minimum

010 organizations received grants between FY1999 and FY2006.
Water Quality Map (COD) surveyed in August 2006

Financial Assistance for Lake Biwa-Yodo River
Waterfront Protection

Nature Watching

Board of Directors and Auditors

With the aim of promoting improvement in the water

The Joint Experiment Center for Water Purification on LakeDirector GeneralDirectorDirector
Director
Director
Director
Director
DirectorDirectorDirector
Director

Shosuke MoriAkihiko NoroYukiko Kada
Keiji Yamada
Fusae Ohta
Toshizo Ido
Yoshiya Kakimoto
Yorikane Masumoto
Junichi Seki
TalsuoYada
IsaoSomiya

DirectorHaruoAoki

Auditor

Shigeru Olsuki

AuditorKazuyoshi Ohsumi

environment of the Lake Biwa-Yodo River system, the BYQ

Biwa-Yodo River (Biyo Center) has a "biotope" developed byfinancially supports "river purification and protection

combining water channels simulating many aspects of nature,activities" as well as "activities to enhance understanding ofand a Lake-Biwa-type pond, both built by connecting to Lakethe water environment" carried out by local residents andBiwa and the Hayama River. At the Biyo Center, which isresidents' groups in the Lake Biwa-Yodo River basin.

conveniently situated on the Lake Biwa waterfront, numerouso 36 organizations received grants between FY1999 and FY2006.

kinds of fauna and flora can be seen, with the changes of thefour seasons. As an extension of this, the Biyo Center holds

Exciting WAQU 2 Expeditionan annual Nature Watching event, designed around the on-

In hopes of increasing people's interest in their local rivers,site observation of its fauna and2the "Exciting WAQU Expedition," since its formation in 2004,

flora. A considerable number ofhas been offering local residents opportunities to turn theirpeople, young and old alike,eyes to their local rivers and spend time thinking about thehave participated in the event

water environment.

so far, to learn about Lake Biwao Using a pack-test kit which enables them to easily measure theand the water environment inlevel of contamination, all members of the Expedition test thegeneral, and to exchange ideas

water quality of their nearby rivers together on the same day.

and opinions.

o There are 5 items in the water quality test: COD, ammonia
nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, and phosphoric acid.
o The tests are conducted 4 times a year: spring, summer,autumn, and winter.

Nature Watching Eventat the Biyo Center"Junior River School"
In an attempt to familiarize children with Lake Biwa and theYodo River, and further to encourage them to think about theo A water quality map and other related documents areimportance of lakes and rivers, the "Junior River School"

prepared using the results of the survey conducted by theprovides pupils (4th to 6th graders in elementary school),members of Expedition.

potential future-generation leaders, a hands-on, outdoor

Members of Expedition: 278 Test Spots: 399 (a. o. December 2006)environmental learning experience.

Board of Councilors
Chainman of theYasunori Okai
Board of Councilors
satoru Yamada
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
CouncilorCouncilorCouncilor"Exciting WAQU2 Expedition"member in action
Lake Biwa Course

5Vodo River Course

President and Director, the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Governor, Mie Prefecture
Governor, Shiga Prefecure
Governor, Kyoto Prefecture
Governor, Osaka Prefecture
Governor, Hyogo Prefecture
Governor, Nara Prefecture
Mayor, Kyoto City
Mayor, Osaka City
Mayor, Kobe City
Professor, Ryukoku University
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Secretary-General, Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water
Quality Preservation Organization
Acting Controller General (Director, Bureau ofTreasury
Management), Kyoto Prefecture
Deputy Director-General, Policy and Planning,Osaka Prefecture

Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor

Chairman, Kinki Regional Association of Chairpersonsof Town and Village Assemblies

President, Kinki Conference of Mayors,
Mayor, Nishinomiya City
Yoshihisa Akiyama Chairman, Kansai Economic Federation
Chairman, Kansai Productivity Center
Kozo Shindo
Kenshi Tamura
Chairman, Federation of Mie Prefecture Chamber ofCommerce and Industry
Kimitake Miyazaki Chairman, Federation of Shiga Prefecture
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Junichi Murata
Chairman, Federation of Kyoto Prefecture Chamber ofCommerce and Industry
AkioNomura
Chairman, Federation of Osaka Prefecture
Chamber of Commerce and IndustryKoshi Mizukoshi
Chairman, Federation of Hyogo Prefecture
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Hiromune Nishiguchi Chairman, Federation of Nara Prefecture Chamber ofCommerce and Industry
AyaShirai
Mayor, Amagasaki City
Yasuyuki Fujiwara Mayor, ltami City
Keiichiro Asari
Vice President, Japan Water Works Association
Tamio Shimogami President, Kinki Construction Association
Alsushi Yamanaka Chairman, Hanshin Water Supply Authority

Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member

Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member

Isao Somiya

Professor, Ryukoku University
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Shuichi Ikebuchi
Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto University
Kazuya Inoue
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Yasuro Kadono
Professor, Faculty of Science, Kobe University
Masashi Kawasaki
Associate Professor, Graduate School ofEngineering, Kyoto University
Yasuhiro Takemon
Associate Professor, Water Resources ResearchCenter, Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto Univeristy
Hiroshi Tsuno
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering,
Kyoto University
Masahisa Nakamura Professor, Research Cenier for Sustainability andEnvironment, Shiga University
Research Planning Officer, Lake Biwa
Machiko Nishino
Environment Research InstituteDescription of Operations
The Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Quality Preservation Organization(BYQ) canies out the following operations to attain theorganization's objectives:(1) Research and development concerning water purification technology andrelated technologies in the Vodo River system(2) Support of water purification projects in the Vodo River system(3) Collection, treatment, processing and provision of information on waterquality in the Vodo River system(4) Support of river purification and protection activities by local residents andresidents' groups in the Vodo River system(5) Public enlightenment on water purification in the Vodo River system(6) Collection and provision of information on water purification technologies inthe Vodo River system and hosting of seminars and workshops(7) Commissioning of activities in regard to projects listed in (1) and (3)(8) Other operations necessary to attain the objectives of the organization

6