## 2 ) Social trial of the project on resolving the unpopularity of sewerage

Taking depopulation and the severe financial situation into consideration, this social trial is striving for the broad introduction of new development methods that enable low cost, early and mobile development according to the actual situation of regions that have not been taking the existing technology standard. The trial is being carried out with the cooperation of local people while a committee of experts performs the functionality verification. Up to FY 2009, the social trial is being implemented in 13 municipalities. As the effectiveness of technology (e.g. the utilization of mobile handling of ground piping) was recognized, the manual on using this technology was summarized for popularization. Additionally, in order to enable the utilization of other technologies (e.g. Quick Plumping (open plumping)) by all regions in the country, verification and evaluation are being actively carried out.

## (2) Ensuring the sustainability of sewerage services

Example case of social experiment (Quick piping (open piping): Hinohara Village in Tokyo)

## 1 ) Appropriate stock management

Following the advancement of sewerage development, sewerage facilities are also expanding (the extended pipes are about 41 km; the number of processing plants is 2,000). Therefore, the appropriate management, reconstruction and renewal are important. If decrepit facilities are put aside, it may have great effects on daily life as well as social economic activities as the sewage processing function may stop. Furthermore, in FY 2008, road cave-ins due to the aging of piping facilities and erosion caused by hydrogen sulfide were found in around 4,100 spots. In order to maintain and improve sewerage function in the future and minimize or balance the necessary cost, the view of sewerage stock management was released. At the same time, from the viewpoints of “accident prevention” and “minimization of the lifecycle cost”, functional improvement (e.g. earthquake proofing improvement) is also being considered, and systematic reconstruction is being pushed forward including the measure for increasing the lifetime.

## 2 ) Strengthening the business management base

Although the operation cost of the sewerage service is covered by the sewage processing charge (except the part that should be borne by public expenses) in principle, significant cost is necessary in the early stages of the service and there is also the situation of a lack of funds structurally because of the nature of the service whereby income stabilizes with the advancement of development. Hence, it is important to look at the expenses of each service not from a short-term viewpoint but from a

long-term viewpoint that considers the durability of facilities.

Therefore, according to the “Guidance for Forming a Substantial Sewerage Operation”, the measures for forming a substantial sewerage operation is being pushed forward in every municipality.

3) Promoting private commission and ensuring technical skills

Concerning the maintenance and management service of sewage processing plants, environmental development for introducing inclusive private commission $ ^{1} $ and measures for further promoting inclusive private commission are being implemented. Additionally, based on the request of the regional public organization, the Japan Sewage Works Agency is carrying out technical support for the efficiency enhancement of constructing, maintaining and managing sewerage facilities, the technician training of regional public organization, technology development, etc.

## (3) Regional invigoration through sewerage

Through ensuring the appropriate sewage processing following sewerage development as well as the preservation and creation of favorable water environments, at the same time as carrying out promotion on regional settlements, industries and tourism,

Local revitalization and environmental education

Developing the water environment through the cooperation of citizens in the Kotehashi-dai reservoir pond

Model class at Higashi Elementary School in Kaita-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture