Wako Branch Office｜Organization｜National Institute for Environmental Studies

Head

Head of Wako Branch Office
ASAMI Mari

Greetings

To support healthy living from the perspective of water, sanitation and environmental risk!

The work related to water quality and hygiene management was transferred from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to the Ministry of the Environment, and the Wako Branch Office of the National Institute for Environmental Studies was established in April 2025. The Wako Branch Office is engaged in research on the management and control of chemical substances and microorganisms in water sources, water purification, and water supply systems, as well as risk management in the event of an accident, crisis communication, and the sustainability of small-scale water supply systems. The training that was being carried out at the National Institute of Public Health has been transferred to the Environmental Research and Training Institute and the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, but we will continue to respond to questions and consultations from people involved in water supply. Water and sanitation are still major issues around the world - we want to connect research and practice, aiming to reduce environmental risks, while valuing our relationships with people from a variety of different professions.

Outline of Research

In April 2024, the Ministry of the Environment took control of water quality and hygiene management. In April 2025, the Wako Branch Office of the National Institute for Environmental Studies was established to conduct research and studies to ensure safe and comfortable water quality, understand the quality of water from the source to the tap, and manage it hygienically. Since water sources for tap water contain chemical substances and pathogenic microorganisms that affect human health, as well as substances that affect the properties of water, and since disinfection by-products are also produced in the water purification and distribution processes, we are developing analytical methods, treatment technologies, and water quality management methods for these substances.

In order to formulate water quality standards and environmental standards, we are working with international organizations, overseas institutions, and other domestic institutions to collect, analyze, and provide the latest domestic and international knowledge necessary for risk management and water environment management related to water quality. We provide advice and support to local governments and waterworks organizations, etc., in their efforts to develop human resources in the fields of water quality management and water purification technology.

We continue to conduct surveys on the actual conditions of chemical substances and microorganisms in surface water, groundwater, water used in the water purification process, and tap water, which are used as domestic water sources, and analyze their characteristics. In addition, we are working with domestic organizations to create a database related to the quality of tap water, including chemical substances.

The results of our research up to March 2025 are posted at the link below.

"Information on drinking water safety measures" from the Water Management Research Area of the Department of Living Environment Research at the National Institute of Public Health
(National Institute of Public Health Website)

Organization

Wako Branch Office
To ensure safe and high-quality tap water, we conduct research and studies of analytical methods, treatment technologies and water quality management practices across the entire process—from the water source through purification and distribution to the tap.

Access

Access Map
(National Institute of Public Health Website)