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Mechanism of the sewer system

 

Framework of the sewerage facility

・Sewerage facility Sewage treatment facility (drain pipe, drain conduits)
  Treatment facility (water-treatment facility, sludge treatment facility)
  Supplemental facility (pump facility, etc.)

Exclusion method of the sewage water

@Exclusion method of the sewage water
  • Separated type・・・ Exclude sewage water and rainwater utilizing different pipe systems
  • Combined type・・・Exclude sewage water and rainwater with the same pipe system
Separated type
Separated type(Closed up image
Combined type
Combined type(Closed up image
ACharacteristics of the separated type

Since the sewage water will not be discharged into a public water district during rain, it is an advantage in terms of preventing water contamination. It is economically beneficial in case an existing rainwater exclusion facility is used. However, it will be a disadvantage when such a facility is newly constructed.

BCharacteristics of the combined type

The construction is easier compared to the separated type and it is possible to provide a solution for contamination and flooding to a certain level with a single pipe and drain. It is also possible to correspond to nonpoint measures in the case of a small amount of rainfall. When the amount of influent water goes over a certain scale factor on a sunny day, it is structured that the excess influent water (sewage water + rainwater) will be directly discharged into a public water district. (The collected pollutant during fine weather will be extended out at the first period of rainfall and will be cleaned and discharged into public water districts.)

CThe current situation in Japan

Large cities, such as Tokyo, that have initiated maintenance on their sewer system earlier than others, are situated downstream of rivers. Since it has been an urgent issue to conduct flood prevention and improvements for living environments within the cities, the combined type has been adopted. However, as the sewerage law was revised in 1970, the water preservation of the public water districts has earned a role in the sewer system. Therefore, the separated type has been adopted since that time.

  • 191 cities : Approx. 10% of the total local authorities (1,486) cities where sewer system is implemented
  • 230 thousands ha  : Approx. 20% of the whole sewage treatment areas (1.5 million ha)
  • Approx. 20%  : Approx. 30% of the whole diffusion rate of sewage treatment population (72%)