Abstract
In recent years, we encountered extensive damage from natural disasters such as the severe rainstorms in the Niigata/Fukushima region in 2004 and 2011, severe rainstorm in Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture in 2009, and severe rainstorm in the Kii Peninsula caused by typhoon No.12 in 2011. In addition to the damages to housing and human lives, these storms caused major economic damage by flooding various places such as offices, hospitals, public facilities, and essential utilities. In this study, cases of disaster-affected areas are investigated by focusing on water utilities, which significantly affect the length of the restoration period for other businesses, because they are located along rivers and prone to flood damage. The study discusses the aftermath and issues that water utility operators experience from flood damage and suggests the need for a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) as well as proactive measures that water utility operators should envision.
