1. How the water in Kumamoto was awarded
To promote water management, the United Nations Secretariat began in 2011 awarding prizes to the prominent water management cities in the world on World Water Day (March 22nd ) by designating the decade between 2005 and 2015 as the U.N. “Decade of Action for Water for Life”.
Responding to the recommendation by the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, Kumamoto City applied for this award after summarizing its efforts to conserve its groundwater.
Receiving a report from U.N. Water (the United Nations Water-related Agencies Coordinating Committee) which said that Kumamoto City was nominated as one of the finalists for Water for Life Award, and that Kumamoto City was invited to the World Water Day Ceremony where the prizewinners were to be announced and awarded, vice mayor and other staff from the municipality went to participate in the ceremony.
On March 22nd, Kumamoto City was chosen as a Water for Life Award winner in the ceremony held in The Hague, Netherlands, and received the Grand Prix. Kumamoto was the first Japanese city to receive the prize.
2. U.N. "Water for Life" Top Award
The U.N. "Water for Life” award has two categories:
|
Category
|
| Category 1 |
"Best water management practices." |
| Category 2 |
"Best_participatory, communication, awareness-raising and education practices" |
There were entries from 46 cities around the world in 2013, and our city was honored to win the first place among 34 cities which applied for Category 1, "Best water management practices"
4. Past Winning Cities
Winning cities of the past
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
| Category 1 |
Las Piñas
(Philippines)
|
Bangalore
(India)
|
Kumamoto City
(Japan)
|
| Category 2 |
Durban
(South Africa)
|
Cochabamba
(Bolivia)
|
Drochia
(Moldova)
|
5. Contents of Application
"Groundwater protection utilizing natural systems"
- Ground water circulation in the Kumamoto Region
- Groundwater recharge systems utilizing paddy fields
- Citizens’ efforts for water-saving
- Wide-ranging cooperation with the programs of the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation