Reducing “no water” during disasters: KITZ and local governments build “regional water resilience”

The regional water resilience model promoted by the KITZ Group is based on building trust with local communities through drills in normal times and using that trust to secure water for daily living quickly during disasters. Demonstrations at disaster preparedness drills have included not only water purification and water supply demonstrations using the portable water purification system “Aqua Rescue,” but also disaster preparedness education for local residents and educational sessions on water supply.

The regional water resilience model is characterized by its aim of establishing drills as part of the community’s ongoing preparedness rather than allowing them to end as one-off events. KITZ stepped up its disaster preparedness drills with local governments in 2011. In 2026, it participated in drills in 5 regions: Ehime Prefecture, Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture, Yakage Town in Okayama Prefecture, and Nagaokakyo City in Kyoto Prefecture, bringing the total number of participating regions to 25.

The network of disaster cooperation agreements is also expanding, with KITZ working with Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Osaka City, Yokohama City, Abiko City, Saitama City, Yakage Town, Chino City, and the Sambu District Wide-Area Water Supply Enterprise, among others. In Tanabe City, Wako City, and Omihachiman City, among others, local educational sessions have helped establish emergency water supply points, which are also being used for backup during disasters and disaster risk reduction measures.

These initiatives aim to establish disaster preparedness drills as a permanent part of communities’ preparedness. Going forward, local governments, residents, and companies will continue working together to develop systems for securing a stable water supply.