Information 3: Industrial water will be abolished in the future! A switch to tap water could result in a fivefold price increase.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will gradually abolish industrial water supply. Due to the transition to tap water, the usage fees will increase by an average of about five times.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently published a report from an expert committee regarding the industrial water supply system, which it has been considering abolishing. While the infrastructure, such as water pipes, is due for renewal, it concluded that demand is not expected to increase in the future and that "abolition is necessary." The government plans to submit a bill to the regular assembly this autumn and aims to gradually abolish the system after the fiscal year 2019. The industrial water supply began to be provided gradually from 1964. However, after 50 years of supply, the infrastructure has deteriorated. It is estimated that the renewal costs will amount to approximately 232.8 billion yen, and if these costs are passed on to users, the fees would increase to about eight times the current rates. On the other hand, demand has continued to decline. In the fiscal year 2016, the average daily water volume was about 20,000 cubic meters, which is down to 1/17 of the peak level. For these reasons, it seems that the decision was made that it is appropriate for users to switch to using the water supply system. Furthermore, the report outlines a plan to transition from industrial water to the water supply system over four years. Since the fees will be about five times higher than the current industrial rates, a transition period of four to eight years will be established to mitigate the impact.

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