After the Second World War, Tokyo experienced a large housing demand which it could not satisfy. The 1970's and 1980's witnessed a surge in construction of multistory condominiums intended for sale. However, the prices soared making them inaccessible and unable to meet the needs of the city. Though Tokyo, like other major cities, suffers from traffic congestion, the main congestion is on the public system during peak hours. The major method of transportation in Tokyo is the dense network of electric railways, subways, and bus lines, which keeps pollution from cars relatively low.
Water is supplied by aqueduct systems to the metropolitan area.
Local waterworks and private industrial and residential systems supplement the municipal water supply. The main sources of water are the Tama and Tone-Edo rivers and three reservoirs. However, in order to meet increasing demand, additional dams have been built on nearby rivers, which is causing the eastern lowlands area to subside. The rapid growth of the metropolitan area stressed the sewage system which in turn resulted in the decrease of water quality. However, since the 1960's, sewage systems have improved and refuse is now incinerated, recycled or reused.