The history of Japan's water supply system has deep roots and dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). During the rise of the big cities, as was the case in the country's capital, the unprecedented population density generated a major challenge: scarcity of water in the face of the high demand for water resources for domestic use. In response to this problem, a number of initiatives drove the development of the system of water canalization and well construction.

Although the supply system of the time used water from rivers and wells without any type of treatment, its popularization guaranteed the stable supply for domestic and industrial use, contributing to an improvement of the hygiene of the population as a whole. These systems formed the foundation of Japan's current supply infrastructure and tell the story of its high technology.

After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the Japanese government promoted a series of modernization initiatives, which included the water supply system. The main objective was to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and the improvement of public hygiene. In 1887, the Nogeyama Jōsuijō Water Treatment Plant in Yokohama was completed, becoming the first modern system in the country. The purification facilities and pipelines introduced at that time ensured the safety and quality of the water, with characteristics similar to those of current supply systems.

During the period of Japan's rapid economic growth, between the 1950s and 1970s, in urban areas, the increased demand for water resources for domestic use made the modernization of the system a priority. Thus, the government actively engaged in the expansion of water infrastructure on a large scale, contributing to an improvement in the standard of living among city dwellers.

After this period of economic prosperity, the construction of supply facilities advanced throughout the country, with the development of a national network. 

Nowadays, the sustainability of the water supply systems has become a topic of the utmost relevance. In Japan, the development of a sustainable water system is advancing through a series of initiatives, such as the efficient use of water resources, the reduction of energy consumption and the modernization of facilities that have deteriorated over time. These actions are essential for ensuring a continuous supply of safe, reliable water for future generations.

Source: LOSSZERO Corporation.