Sharing Common Challenges and Solutions with Japan
RESEAU-CMI and partners were in Tokyo this week for a joint meeting with Japan's National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the University of Tokyo.
RESEAU-CMI Scientific Director Dr. Madjid Mohseni (UBC) and representatives from Canada’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Indigenous Services shared their experience working to improve access to drinking water for Indigenous and non-urban communities in British Columbia.
Participants discussed risk, economics and innovation for small systems, with a focus on emerging contaminants, water’s impact on public health, the benefits of centralized versus decentralized solutions, operator capacity and automation, innovations in financing and more.
The team had the opportunity to visit 4 different water systems in rural Shizuoka. The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Health, NIPH and the Shizuoka’s Mayor office. There was a clear consensus about the commonality of challenges our rural communities facing, we certainly could use help in advancing the international collaboration to next level.
