### b. Sewage quick project

Taking into account the population decline and the difficult fiscal situation, this project seeks to widely introduce—with the cooperation of the district citizens and verification of the performance by a committee of experts—maintenance methods that are not stuck in technological standards of the past, that meets the current conditions of the district, and that are low-cost, while making early and flexible maintenance possible. By FY2013, a social experiment was conducted in 14 municipalities, and 6 technologies—such as the “Small-Scale Waste-Water Treatment Facility (contact oxidation method)”—were determined to be effective, leading to a user’s guide being put together for the use of these technologies. The verification/evaluation of the other technologies is in progress to make nationwide usage possible.

Figure II-8-4-5

Example of Implementing the Sewerage Quick Project (Small-Scale Waste-Water Treatment Facility in Engaru Town, Hokkaido)

Source) MLIT

## (2) Attaining durability in sewerage projects

### a. Proper stock management

With the progress of sewage systems, at year-end of 2013, there is a vast stock of approximately 460,000km of sewer line extension facilities as well as approximately 2,200 sewage treatment plants.

Because these sewerage facilities were built rapidly starting around the high economic growth period, the number of aging facilities is expected to increase rapidly from now on. Although in 2013, mainly small scale issues were arising, road collapses have occurred in 3,500 places due to corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide and aging of the conduit facilities. Because the sewage system is an important social infrastructure which supports the safe and secure social and economic activities of urban living and provides a lifeline that is difficult to replace with alternative means, there is a necessity to sustain the required functions by conducting efficient, planned measures to deal with aging facilities through the introduction of stock management that practices preventative maintenance, while at the same time considering the introduction of comprehensive private consignment and efficient pipe inspection methods.

### b. Reinforcement of business infrastructure

In the operation of sewerage projects, although it is a fundamental rule to cover costs (excluding portions covered by public expense) for treating waste water with money acquired from usage fees, the initial establishment requires a lump sum of funds. Due to the business characteristic in which income begins to stabilize as sewerage systems develop, there are cases where funds fall short during construction. Therefore, with the “Guide for restoring financial health in sewage management” we are pushing initiatives in each municipality for the restoration of financial health in sewage business management.

### c. Consigning facility management to private sectors and acquiring technical capabilities

Deliberations for the introduction of public facilities governance method for sewerage projects, and efforts for making further use of private sector consignment Note for the maintenance management of sewage treatment plants, are both moving forward. Based on demands from local public organizations, the Japan Sewage Works Agency provides technical support for constructing sewage facilities, as well as for optimizing their operation and maintenance, and cultivating technical experts at local public organizations, while developing new technology.