allowing a set amount of water to be usable throughout the year. We have clarified the standards of authorization and are working to revive “urban clear streams.”

## 3 Cultivating water and using it efficiently

## (1) Stable supply of water resources

In order to secure stability in the utilization of water, there must be various policies corresponding to the situation of communities from both standpoints of supply and demand. Specifically, in the facet of demand, we must enhance the recovery and reuse of water, and increase awareness for conserving water. In supply, we must build and improve water resource development facilities such as dams, implement countermeasures for aging facilities related water resources, develop crisis management measures, and increase the number of water resources by utilizing rain water and recycled water. In addition, in order to preserve and vitalize water resources while preserving and properly utilizing ground water, we are administering improvements to living environments and industrial infrastructures based on the “Special Measures for Water Source Area Act.”

Furthermore, as measures against risks posed by climate change, we strive to construct a healthy water system and realize a society that can continually utilize water. Institutions assigned to respective water basins of a water system cooperate and coordinate with each other to proceed with initiatives towards comprehensively managing water resources by collectively analyzing aspects such as the amount and quality of water, and the surface and ground water, during normal times and during times of emergency.

## (2) Efficient use of water resources

## ① Initiatives towards expanding the utilization of recycled water derived from sewage

Stable amounts of recycled water can be secured and is a valuable water resource in urban areas. Of all the treated sewage, approximately 1.4% undergoes treatment according to purpose, and recycled water is used in streams, sustaining water levels of rivers and the sanitation of toilets. We aim to further expand the utilization of recycled water.

## ② Promoting the utilization of rain water

In order to efficiently utilize water resources, initiatives are being promoted to treat and use rain water and waste water from facilities for sanitation of toilets and sprinklers. There are approximately 2,900 facilities utilizing treated water as of 2010, and they use over 65 million m $ ^{3} $ a year. In order to continue promoting the utilization of rain water, we are gaining understanding regarding actual conditions, including examples of facilities using rain water, the considerations for using rain water, and share this information with users.

## (3) Securing safe and delicious water

Although Japan is one of the few countries in the world where the water supply is so developed that water can be drunk directly from the faucet, in recent years, the public demand for safe and delicious water is further increasing. Because of this, we work to secure delicious water, and avoid or reduce the risks related to water quality. In order to prevent offensive smells or taste, and the leakage of hazardous substances due to the deterioration of water quality, water from branch streams are bypassed to sluice gates of treatment plants located downstream, water sources are purified at dams and rivers, dissemination of sanitary drainage is being developed, implementation of advanced treatment is being promoted, and combined sewage systems are undergoing improvement measures.

## (4) Promoting measures concerning the permeation of rainwater

Due to the spread of impervious areas in recent years by urban development of drainage basins, more rain water flows into rivers in short periods of time instead of being absorbed into the ground. In addition to reducing flood damage from heavy rains by absorbing as much rain water as possible into the ground, improvement to rainwater storage penetration facilities are being promoted through tax measures, for cultivating ground water, contributing to the revival of springs, and building a healthy water cycle system.