History of the Fukuoka District Waterworks Agency

The demand for water in urban areas in Fukuoka, which has scarce water resources, continues to increase year by year due to trends in population centralization, increased urbanization and improvements in the quality of life.

In order to secure water sources the agency, in accordance with the Basic Plan for Development of Water Resources (1966), focused its development efforts on the Chikugo river system. It began this project, known as the Chikugo River General Development Plan, by gaining the concerted efforts of local municipalities and the national government, as well as obtaining the understanding and cooperation of all other groups involved.

As an orderly mechanism for the development of the Chikugo River, the Fukuoka District Waterworks Agency was set up in June 1973 for the purpose of avoiding duplicated investment, making efficient utilization of municipal water over a substantial area and creating effective placement of facilities and their proper management.

Immediately after its establishment, the agency commenced construction of a distribution system and water treatment plant. In November 1983 the agency began supplying water conveyed from the Chikugo River.

During this period, the first extension project was approved in September 1981. Following this, the second and third extensions were approved in March 1985 and March 1992, respectiveiy; the fourth extension project (construction of a Seawater Desalination Plant) was approved in March 1999. The Seawater desalination plant was completed in early 2005 and serves a population of 2.3 million residents in the surrounding urban areas.