Tokyo’s modern waterworks began on December 1, 1898, when water was supplied from the Yodobashi Purification Plant to the Kanda and Nihonbashi areas.To commemorate the start of Tokyo’s modern waterworks, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks applied to the Japan Anniversary Association to designate December 1 as “Tokyo Waterworks Day,” which was subsequently officially recognized. This commemorative day was conceived with the aim of promoting the appeal of Tokyo Water, and was established following a proposal by us to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks.Together with them, we will continue to play a vital role in the waterworks business, which is one of the most important infrastructure services, and strive to provide support for the lives of residents and the functioning of Tokyo, the capital of Japan.

【Modern Waterworks】 With the start of the Meiji era (1868-1912), the existing Edo aqueduct system faced sanitary issues, such as water pollution, and its lack of water pressure made it unsuitable for firefighting. A new waterworks system was therefore needed. In 1890, the design for a waterworks system in Tokyo was finalized, and construction of the Yodobashi Purification Plant began. On October 22, 1893, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Yodobashi Purification Plant was held. The ceremony included a fire hydrant hydraulic test to confirm water pressure, and was held in grand style to demonstrate the effectiveness of the improved water supply system to the citizens of Tokyo. The Yodobashi Purification Plant began supplying water to the Kanda and Nihonbashi areas on December 1, 1898. On November 20, 1899, water began running throughout Tokyo. At the start of operations, the facility had a capacity of 170,000 cubic meters per day. The Yodobashi Purification Plant ceased all operations on March 31, 1965, but traces of its former existence remain in Shinjuku today.

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Tokyo Water and the Tokyo Waterworks Group (Japanese)

【Tokyo Waterworks Day Event】 On December 1, 2022, the Tokyo Waterworks Group held a commemorative event for Tokyo Waterworks Day at the Tokyo Waterworks Historical Museum in Hongo, Bunkyo City. The event featured a quiz on the history of Tokyo Water, and participants received original gifts and special commemorative leaflets. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended. You can view photos from the event on our social media accounts.