An initiative involving 日水コン’s group in the water supply business of Rifu Town, Miyagi Prefecture, won the Integrated Water Supply and Sewerage category of the FY2026 Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award, “Sewerage for a Sound Water Cycle Award.” The award recognized the group’s long-term operating structure and private-sector partnership for promoting Water PPP.
Rifu Town established a four-company joint venture led by 日水コン’s group as the representative company and signed a basic agreement for the comprehensive private-sector outsourcing of Rifu Town’s water supply and sewerage operations. It also established the special-purpose company Rif Rex, which is scheduled to begin a 10-year contract in April 2025 and will provide integrated maintenance and management of water supply and sewerage facilities, counter services and consulting services.
The project adopts a water public-private partnership (Water PPP [Level 3.5]) and has established a structure for integrated management of water supply and sewerage maintenance, management and renewal. The policy is to support the operation of water supply and sewerage businesses from a long-term perspective by drawing on the expertise of local governments and private companies.
The award recognized Rifu Town’s introduction of Japan’s first integrated water supply and sewerage Water PPP Level 3.5 renewal-support model. The award is the FY2026 (19th) Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award, “Sewerage for a Sound Water Cycle Award,” Integrated Water Supply and Sewerage category. The town said it will continue to pursue sustainable water supply and sewerage operations.