Water in the Present Agricultural use Industrial use Household use Volumes of water used in Japan The volume of water used for agricultural purposes has remained nearly level for the past ten years, occupying more than half the total used in Japan. This clearly shows the nation-wide agricultural nature of the country. In comparison, volumes of water for industrial use have been on the decrease since 1992 mainly as a result of the increased use of recycled water. Water for household use and urban activities, the third category of use, also makes up a large portion of supplies, with usage volumes varying according to climate, lifestyles, and changes in social and economic activities. In 1994, more water was used than in the previous year because of the unusually hot summer weather. River water Underground water Other (Rainfall, Desalinated water, etc.) A mix of water sources for urban communities Water for urban communities refers to water for household use and urban activities together with water for industrial use. As a wider variety of water resources are developed, the trend is one of increased use of river water. The use of river water, however, requires the development of facilities that provide a reliable supply of water. Groundwater, which is generally of higher quality, is more consistent in temperature, and does not require the construction of large-scale facilities for catchment, storage, and supply, nevertheless continues to be widely used. In Hokuriku and inner Kanto areas, more than 50% of the water supply is groundwater. Satisfied Somewhat satisfied Dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied No strong opinion Satisfaction with water supplies Perhaps because of increasing demand for better-tasting water, dissatisfaction with tap water in large cities is rising. In a recent survey, many respondents referred to the taste of the water as the reason for their dissatisfaction, with replies such as It doesn't taste good, It smells,or It is not safe.Approximately 30% of the respondents said they were willing to pay for better- tasting water. This tendency is reflected in recent sales of mineral water. Data: As of fiscal 1994 Source: Japan's Water Resources 1998 (Published by the Water Resource Department, Director-General's Secretariat, National Land Agency) TOP All images Copyright. 1999 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.