The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Waterworks has opened its water purification facilities to professionals from water-related organisations eager to learn about water management.
Visitors will be provided with an overview of operations at the city’s 10 plants, which together have a capacity of 6.9 million cubic metres daily and supply drinking water to 13.8 million people. They will be introduced to the technology used for water treatment and leak management.
Tokyo’s waterworks have a leakage rate of three per cent, one of the lowest rates in the world, compared to Sydney at nine per cent and Beijing at 10 per cent. The performance, improved from a leakage rate of 30 per cent about 70 years ago, is thanks to the adoption of corrosion-resistant stainless-steel pipes, as well as sensors and surveys that detect issues, which are resolved promptly. The pipes also feature earthquake-resistant joints that mitigate damage in the case of an earthquake.
Delegations from parts of Asia, Africa and Europe have joined learning visits to the Tokyo waterworks, including as part of cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to address Africa’s leakage rate of 40 to 50 per cent.
Shefer brings more than 20 years of experience in hotel management and brand operations, having held leadership roles across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Most recently, he was vice president of brand operations, EMEA, where he managed hotel openings and transitions, established a hotel openings structure, and oversaw the onboarding of over 500 Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties globally.
Ranaut brings over 16 years of hospitality experience, including senior roles with Marriott and IHG, and most recently served as area director of revenue management at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, managing 14 hotels across Southern India.
At Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, he will focus on strengthening the hotel’s connection to Marina Bay and delivering experiences that reflect the area’s distinctive character.
