Aims of the Project

As we move further into the 21st century, the growth of the Fukuoka urban areas continues to advance and consequently water demand shifts. Therefore, our most urgent task is to secure new sources of water resources to meet this changing demand, for we believe that a stable water supply is one of the fundamental criteria for urban development.

There is no Class A river emptying into the Fukuoka urban areas, therefore, projects including wide area water utilization using water from Chikugo River, the construction of dams in the areas and the development of water resources have been pursued to ensure the stable supply of water. However, water shortages have recently become more frequent due in part to the ongoing trend in decreased rainfall.

Under the circumstances, Fukuoka prefecture has drawn up a long-term Fukuoka Wide Area Water Supply Improvement Project till 2010 including the sea water desalination project. The sea water desalination project in particular has been pursued in order to deal with high water demand and recurrent water shortages, and as part of the self-help efforts of the Fukuoka urban areas that rely heavily in the Chikugo river system which doesn’t drain into their areas.