How improving wastewater management with technology can foster societal resilience

Water and sewage systems are essential infrastructure directly linked to public health, environmental protection and quality of life. These systems must be installed, properly managed and maintained for a healthy and sustainable society.

In Japan, essential social infrastructure, including roads, tunnels and water and sewage systems, was extensively developed during the rapid economic growth following World War II, from the 1950s to the 1970s.

While the rate of their deterioration varies depending on location and maintenance conditions, facilities that have been in place for 50 years or more are generally considered “ageing assets”.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan had approximately 490,000 kilometres of sewer systems in 2023. By 2030, about 16% will be at least 50 years old, rising to 34% by 2040. This indicates a sharp increase in ageing infrastructure in the coming years.

As water pipes deteriorate with age or by enduring natural disasters, issues such as damage, leaks and concrete corrosion can significantly impact residents’ lives.

To mitigate these risks, MLIT conducts inspections of high-risk water and sewage systems every five years. However, incidents still occur, with approximately 2,600 sinkholes caused by sewer pipeline failures reported in 2023 alone.

For instance, in January 2025, a major sinkhole caused by sewer pipe corrosion in Saitama Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, led to road closures and wastewater restrictions across 12 cities and towns, disrupting daily life.

Additionally, leaks from corroded sewage pipes and wastewater diversions during repairs pose environmental risks.

Water and sewage systems in Japan are managed at the municipal or prefectural level. However, just as the need for proper maintenance grows, municipalities face declining revenues, resulting in budget cuts for sewer management.

The situation is further complicated by a 40% reduction in municipal employees involved in sewer management from peak levels in many municipalities. In response, local governments seek to improve efficiency and integrate advanced technologies to ensure effective sewer system management.

At the Meeting on Digital Administrative and Financial Reform in February 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed officials to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, including satellite and drone-based leak detection for water and sewage systems, with full implementation targeted within three years.

One of the biggest challenges in managing water and sewage pipes is their underground placement, making inspection for leaks and other issues difficult. To address this, Tokyo-based venture company Tenchijin has developed a water pipe monitoring service, Tenchijin Compass Water Bureau.

This system integrates satellite-derived surface temperature and crustal movement data with municipal management data and leakage history to assess the risk of leaks.

The monitored area is divided into 100-metre grids, with each section rated on a five-point risk scale. By prioritizing inspections in high-risk areas, the approach aims to enhance efficiency.

Trials have shown that it can reduce inspection costs by up to 65% and shorten the investigation period by 85%. Since its launch in 2023, more than 20 municipalities have adopted this service by March 2025.

Traditional sewer inspections rely on workers or small vehicles equipped with TV cameras to navigate inside the pipes. However, these methods can be challenging and hazardous, particularly when dealing with flowing water or toxic gases. Ensuring worker safety also adds time and complexity to the process.

In recent years, drones have emerged as a practical solution to these challenges. Remotely operated from outside the pipes, drones allow inspections to proceed unhindered, even in the presence of water flow or hazardous gases, eliminating the need for extensive safety precautions.

Additionally, they can access narrow pipes otherwise inaccessible to workers, enabling more comprehensive surveys.

Municipalities, including Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture, Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture and Sakaimachi in Ibaraki Prefecture, have already adopted drones for sewer inspections.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also increasingly important in sewer management. In Yokohama City, for example, nozzle cameras are used during sewer cleaning to capture footage, which AI then analyzes to detect minor abnormalities that human inspectors might overlook.

Additionally, the AI system learns from existing sewer records and environmental data to predict pipe deterioration and water levels, improving maintenance efficiency and proactive management.

As sewer systems and other infrastructure age, adopting new technologies is essential for effective maintenance and management, sustaining livelihoods and protecting the environment.

The World Economic Forum’s strategic intelligence insights on infrastructure resilience highlight that sustainable and resilient infrastructure provides broad societal benefits.

Improving wastewater infrastructure through efficiency and modern technologies, therefore, doesn’t just enhance individuals’ quality of life; it strengthens societal resilience and long-term sustainability.