Japan’s Vital Water Infrastructure Remains Vulnerable to Earthquakes: Survey Reveals Low Seismic ReinforcementRates
Tokyo, Japan – A recent survey conducted by Japan’s Ministryof Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has revealed alarmingly low rates of seismic reinforcement for water supply and drainage pipes connected to critical facilities acrossthe country. The findings highlight a significant vulnerability in Japan’s infrastructure, particularly in the wake of the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, whichcaused widespread water outages affecting an estimated 140,000 households and disrupting water supply to evacuation centers.
The survey, conducted as of March 2024, examined the seismic reinforcement status of water supply and drainagepipes linked to essential facilities such as evacuation centers. The results show that only 39% of water supply pipes and 51% of drainage pipes have undergone seismic reinforcement. Moreover, only 44% of drainage pump stations have beenreinforced.
Across Japan, there are approximately 25,000 critical facilities with complete water supply and drainage systems. However, the survey found that only 3,600 of these facilities, or a mere 15%, have undergone seismic reinforcement for both water supply and drainage systems.
TheMLIT has published detailed findings from the survey on its official website, including data for each prefecture and municipality. The ministry has urged operators and managers of water infrastructure to strengthen their seismic preparedness measures, including the development of earthquake-resistant plans by the end of January 2025.
This call to action underscores theurgency of addressing the vulnerability of Japan’s water infrastructure to earthquakes. The Noto Peninsula earthquake served as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of seismic events on water supply systems, particularly in the context of disaster relief efforts.
The low rates of seismic reinforcement identified by the survey highlight the need for increased investment in infrastructureresilience. As Japan continues to face the threat of earthquakes, ensuring the reliability of water supply and drainage systems is crucial for public safety and the effective response to natural disasters.
References:
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) official website: [Link to MLIT website]
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