AWWA welcomes Japanese water professionals to the Mile High City

Eight emerging water leaders from across Japan traveled to Colorado recently for a utility management workshop at the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Denver headquarters and to attend the Rocky Mountain Water Conference in Loveland.

The visit marked an important step in the growing collaboration between AWWA and the Japan Water Works Association (JWWA). Suguru Watanabe, JWWA’s assistant director who accompanied the group, said the participants included engineers, project managers and plant managers nominated by various Japanese water utilities to attend the immersive experience in the United States and grow in their roles within their respective organizations.

“These are young professionals who are expected to be the next generation of leaders in Japan’s water utilities,” he said. “I look forward to seeing them utilize the experience they gained at AWWA.”

The AWWA workshop covered topics including utility governance models, data and asset management, utility finance and rate setting. Among the presenters were Chi Ho Sham, an AWWA past president, and Colin Chung, chair of AWWA’s International Council. Participants also toured a Denver Water treatment plant. (Pictured right, Chi Ho Sham and AWWA’s David LaFrance, back row, with Japanese utility participants.)

At the Rocky Mountain Water Conference, an annual joint conference of AWWA’s Rocky Mountain Section and the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association, attendees learned about the latest water technologies and trends in the United States. 

The Japanese participants are developing a comprehensive report summarizing their experiences and insights, which JWWA plans to share with relevant stakeholders in Japan through a dedicated journal. Participating were Tetsuro Yamada, Sapporo Waterworks Bureau; Yukinori Sugiura, Morioka City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau; Tomoya Kobayashi, Kawasaki City Waterworks Bureau; Nobuyuki Furukawa, Aichi Chubu Water Supply Authority; Kenta Maeda, Ashiya City Water and Sewerage Department; Yuji Kuwana, Kagawa Water Supply Authority; Yamasaki Tateki, Kochi City Water and Sewer Bureau; and Yuka Ozo, Oita City Water and Sewer Commission.

The partnership between AWWA and JWWA dates to 1952 and has expanded in recent years, with JWWA actively participating in AWWA’s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) and contributing to international sessions.

“I hope that the long-standing and strong friendship between AWWA and JWWA will continue,” said Watanabe. “In fact, it was this foundation of friendship that led to the implementation of the training. I believe that this relationship between us will contribute to the future development of water utilities in both Japan and the United States.”