introduction of comprehensive private consignment and efficient pipe inspection methods.

In May 2015, the Sewerage Act was amended and standards for maintaining and repairing sewage systems were established. In response, it was decided that drainage facilities at significant risk of corrosion would be inspected at an appropriate frequency of at least once every five years and initiatives to ensure sustainable sewage functions are being undertaken. Under these amendments, a council meeting program for engaging in necessary discussions on widening the geographic scope of sewage works and forming partnerships among the administrators of sewage works shall be established and the provision of support to local governments will otherwise be reinforced to ensure the durability of sewerage projects.

### 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. Accordingly, prospects for income and expenditures tied to individual projects will need to be examined not on a short-term basis but rather on a long-term basis by taking the length of the service life of the given facilities into account. 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 $ ^{1} $ 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.

## (3) Revitalizing communities through sewage

The proper treatment of wastewater through improvements in sewage, and the preservation or creation of healthy water environments, stimulates promotion of tourism and industry. In addition, by creating river fronts using recycled water from advanced wastewater treatment, stimulating regional activities through the operation and management of water amenity spaces by citizens, utilizing space above wastewater treatment facilities, transferring sewage heat to be used as district heating, utilizing bio-gas as energy and efficiently using sewage resources, sewage contributes to regional vitalization in numerous facets.

## (4) Promoting environmental education in the field of sewage

Working groups, consisting of elementary school teachers and sewage administrator representatives, created teacher edition textbooks that were well suited for classroom use for sewage education. In order for teachers to freely make use of these teaching materials regarding sewers, they are being offered through the “Sewer Systems, the Path of Circulation Environmental Education Portal Site Note 2”. Additionally, subsidies

Project for Sewerage Environmental Education for Elementary Schools in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka

Source) MLIT