Estimate that "about 90% of the water supply needs to be raised in the whole country."

Accidents such as leaks of aging water pipes have been occurring in various places. According to estimates compiled by major audit corporations in Japan, if the current water supply business is to be maintained as the population is declining, approximately 90% of water utilities such as municipalities and nationwide by 2040 They say they need to raise their rates.

Water pipes need to be renewed for about 4 laps of the earth

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, water pipes nationwide that exceed the 40-year service life stipulated by law as of the end of FY2017 totaled 110,000 km, or 16.3% of the total length of 110,000 km. That's more than a kilo.

The number of aging water pipes is increasing year by year, and the number of water pipes that need to be renewed in the next 20 years will reach a total of 153,700 km, which is equivalent to four laps of the earth.

More than 40 years have passed since the period of rapid economic growth when water pipes were rapidly developed, and water pipes in various places have reached the point of renewal at a stretch, and the work of water utilities such as local governments has been unable to keep up.

Local governments have stated that it is difficult to secure the necessary budget in a difficult financial situation, and that there is a shortage of human resources to examine the necessity of replacement and repair.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare states that "maintenance and maintenance costs are covered by water charges in principle," but we provide grants only to water utilities with severe financial conditions.

With the aging of water pipes rapidly progressing, it is an urgent issue how to efficiently conduct inspections and updates.

Population decline is also a problem.

If the management environment of the water supply business deteriorates due to the aging of water pipes and the declining population, water charges may be raised in various parts of the country in the future.

According to estimates compiled by major audit firms in Japan, if the current water supply business is to be maintained in the face of a declining population, approximately 90% of water utilities, including municipalities and nationwide, will be able to maintain the water supply by 2040. They say they need to raise their rates.

The rate of price increase is 36% nationwide, indicating that smaller businesses tend to have higher rates, with some local governments saying that rates are about five times higher.

Kenichiro Fukuda, Senior Manager of Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC, who is familiar with the management of the water supply business that conducted the survey, said, "The water supply business has not been able to visualize the status of future facilities and the outlook for tariffs. Then, what level of water supply facilities and rates should be maintained in the future, and how the water supply business should be in the future should be discussed now. "

How to reduce costs In Kawasaki City ...

In a severe environment where budget and human resources are limited, how do you push forward water supply business? Kawasaki City has begun cost reduction initiatives.

The total length of water pipes in Kawasaki City is more than 2,500 km, of which 25.8% of those at the end of last year exceeded 40 years of service life stipulated by law.

The number of water pipes that need to be renewed is expected to increase in the future, and the population is expected to decrease after peaking in 10 years, and the income is expected to decrease along with demand. I think.

For this reason, Kawasaki City has begun to take measures to reduce the cost of operation and maintenance while the financial balance is healthy, and has three water purification plants managed by the city whose water supply capacity has greatly exceeded demand. From one place.

Furthermore, since last year, the effectiveness of a system that efficiently repairs and renews water pipes that have a high probability of being damaged by using AI = artificial intelligence is examined together with private companies to determine whether to introduce them. You.

Nobuyuki Tachi, manager of the Kawasaki City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau's Business Planning Division, said, "Water rates are inevitably raised after financial deterioration, and the burden on households will increase. But I would like to take an active part in reducing costs. "