Toyo University Graduate School - Utilize to remote learning - Efforts to reduce "Non-Revenue Water (NRW)" in developing countries

Utilize to remote learning in Toyo University Graduate School.

Watching the material in remote learning.

I used JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials "Comprehensive Measures for Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction - Aiming to Diminish Wastage of Water" in Toyo University Graduate School on July 22nd, 2020. In this class, there were 3 graduate students from The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) who came from Cambodia and studied about water works, waste disposal and traffic, and 4 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) who were engaged in waste disposal in Botswana and returned to Japan now.

I have been involved with making of JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials. So I knew those materials had valuable information and could be used effectively. I have been using those materials to JOCV technical complementary training and guidance for JOCV who were in mission. This time, I utilized this material in a style of remote learning for the first time because it is difficult to hold an in-person class by influence of COVID-19.

How can we reduce "Non-Revenue Water (NRW)"?

In developing countries, many water utilities become too old for work.

Water works are indispensable part of the socio economic infrastructure that is providing safe water efficiently and stably. In order for water services to remain viable and be managed efficiently, appropriate fees must be collected from water users.

But in reality, there is a certain amount of water never paid for due to leakage, water theft, meter errors and other causes. The general terms for this is Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

"Comprehensive Measures for Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction - Aiming to Diminish Wastage of Water"* explains what "NRW" is in the beginning and views comprehensive measures how we reduce NRW through past examples and a lot of JICA's experiments in developing countries. Especially, in the example at Phnom Penh in Cambodia that JICA aided with technical cooperation, the material shows the process that Phnom Penh, where water works were almost ruined by civil war and NRW ratio reached 72% in 1993, have took a lot of measures and reduced NRW ratio to 7% in 2008.

*This material is limited viewing to people who are engaged in JICA's projects. For more information, please contact us through JICA-Net Library Desk (eitpl-jicanet@jica.go.jp).

Become more familiar with international cooperation through the material.

The example in Phnom Penh. JICA requested Kita-Kyushu Waterworks Bureau to dispatch technical experts

One of the graduate students in this crass came from Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority by JDS's program to study measures for NRW in master's program and other graduate students have been to Cambodia on internship program. This material contains the example of JICA's technical cooperation for Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, so they seem to have more interest in the movie.

JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials contain many examples of several countries, I think students can feel more familiar with problems and rise their study motivation by finding examples of their own countries, and also feel more familiar with Japan by showing examples of Japan. Particularly, materials dealing with JICA's projects are very significant for the program that accepts those who involve with JICA's projects as graduate students.

Easy access with YouTube.

Equipment for remote learning (PC, Camera for meeting, electronic blackboard).

JICA-Net Library YouTube Channel (external link) have started since April, 2020 and everyone is able to watch a part of materials. That is why I was able to utilize an another material "Technical Expertise of Japan in Solid Waste Management" (external link) through YouTube when the first term crass turned into remote learning, which introduce the history of improvement on Japanese solid waste management from the period of postwar reconstruction to the present.

In the situation that remote learning is increasing by influence of COVID-19 and an in-person class with writing on blackboard can't be held enough, the needs for JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials will expand more and more.

I expect that uploaded materials in JICA-Net YouTube Channel will give an easy access to materials for not only graduate students but also undergraduates and people who will have an interest in international cooperation, and be a deep understanding against international cooperation.

Hidetoshi Kitawaki
Professor
Faculty of Global and Regional Studies
Toyo University

*The Material(s) mainly applied

Comprehensive Measures for Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction - Aiming to Diminish Wastage of Water

This multimedia-based leaning material introduces the comprehensive approach for water service improvement, as reduction of NRW, suppression of new water development, reduction of environmental load caused by over extraction in using water supply as much as possible, improvement of service level against increasing water demand and chronic poor water service in developing countries. Specifically, this multimedia-based leaning material introduces measures for water distribution management, water meter management, water leakage management and water theft or illegal water supply management.

*This material is limited viewing to people who are engaged in JICA's projects. For more information, please contact us through JICA-Net Library Desk (eitpl-jicanet@jica.go.jp).

Technical Expertise of Japan in Solid Waste Management

The technology of Japan's solid waste management has started to improve public health since the restructuring period after WWII. Japan has completed its incineration and reclamation technology, after repeated trial and error. The next step has involved studies designed to bring about a recycling society. This material introduces the efforts made by administrations, citizens, and businesses. Also, this material is designed to make people understand the fact that Japan once had the same problem with managing solid waste that developing countries are facing at present. But Japan has overcome such difficulties. Here, people can be sure that they also can improve their situation in developing countries, by learning of the measures taken by Japan to improve its situation.

• YouTube (external link)