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Water Service Work on Street 　

Water Main Replacement Work

Q
When I turn on the faucets at home, water comes out without any problems. Why do you have to go to all the trouble of digging up the street to replace the water main?
A
Aging water mains may leak and cause other problems. The Waterworks Bureau is therefore following a plan of replacing conventional water mains with earthquake-proof ones.
Q
Work is under way at the same place where work was recently carried out. Can’t all these works be done at once?
A
Water mains, sewers and facilities owned by utility operators, such as phone, gas and electric companies, are located under streets. Work on buried facilities must be conducted while ensuring safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. If two or more pipes were buried simultaneously, then the worksite would cover a wide area and surrounding communities would be seriously affected, closing streets and sidewalks, causing traffic jams and blocking entrances of roadside houses.
Therefore, each pipe is buried at a time when safe passage can be ensured. After the work is completed, the excavation is temporarily backfilled to open the street to traffic. Then other pipes undergo the same process one by one. This is why it sometimes seems as if the same place is dug up many times. Finally, the entire street is re-surfaced to restore it to its original condition.
To ensure that various types of work on streets can be carried out efficiently and smoothly, the City of Osaka prepares annual and monthly construction work plans, taking into account the possible impacts on traffic and roadside areas. Additionally, the City holds monthly coordination meetings for work on underground installations to enable relevant parties to discuss order, time schedule and work methods, in order to improve work efficiency and shorten work periods.

 

Work on Water Service Piping 　

How to Request 

Q
How can I request modification, reinstallation or other types of work for my water service piping?
A
To request installation, modification and other types of work for your water supply facilities, follow the procedure below.
、EWhere to Request 、E
Consult a plumber designated by the City of Osaka. For contact information, check our website.
※ You must obtain a letter of consent from concerned parties in the following cases.
◁EIn the case that your water service pipe that branches off from the water main passes through anyone else’s property
◁EIn the case that your water service pipe will be installed by being branched off from a water service pipe owned by anyone else  
、EWork Costs 、E
Work costs vary considerably according to site conditions. You are recommended to obtain estimates in advance from two or more plumbers designated by the City of Osaka.

 

Piping inside Property 　

Where to Find Information

Q
I’d like to see a drawing that shows information about water service piping (e.g. its diameter) inside a certain property. Where can I see such a drawing?
A
The City of Osaka categorizes information on water service pipes as private information. Therefore, water service management drawings including information on water service pipes are not open to the third party general public, including citizens and realtors.
However, if you can prove that you have been authorized to access such information by a water service user or owner of the property concerned, you can check configuration of laid water service piping at the Waterworks Bureau Drawing Reference Area on the third floor of the Osaka City Hall, or at a Waterworks Maintenance Center Branch Office. For location of a Waterworks Maintenance Center Branch Office in charge of the property concerned, contact our Customer Center.

Information about Buried Lead Water Pipes

Q
Where can I find information on my water piping?
A
You can access information on your water piping at the Waterworks Bureau Drawing Reference Area on the third floor of the Osaka City Hall. In addition, each Waterworks Maintenance Center can offer information on buried pipes in administrative wards in charge.
You can access information at the Waterworks Bureau Drawing Reference Area from 09:00 to 12:15 and from 13:00-17:30 every day except when the Osaka City Hall is closed.
Meanwhile, lead water pipes within private properties must be replaced by their owners, while those under streets are replaced by the Waterworks Bureau.  For location of a Waterworks Maintenance Center Branch Office in your area, contact our Customer Service.

 

Noise 　

Measures to Reduce Noise

Q
What sort of measures are taken to reduce noise and vibration caused by water service works?
A
To reduce noise and vibration, the Waterworks Bureau promotes use of low-noise and low-vibration machinery and equipment and strives to shorten work periods. Prior to each water service work, the Bureau offers residents in affected areas sufficient information about such work.
We regret any inconvenience that may be caused by our works, but your kind understanding and cooperation would be appreciated.

 

Work Cost 　

Loan Program

Q
Can you tell me about the loan program for water service work charges?
A
The Waterworks Bureau offers a loan program for costs of installation, modification and other types of work for water supply facilities in Osaka City.
、ELoan amount 、E
Within the cost of water service work, up to �E�300,000
、EInterest 、E
An annual variable interest rate (annual interest rate on a time deposit plus 1.3%)
、ERepayment method 、E
Repayment by equal monthly installments (within 24 months) starting from the month following the month when a loan is made
、EContact Information 、E
For further information, contact the Waterworks Maintenance Center in your area. For contact information, call our Customer Center.

 

Common Specifications for Civil Engineering Works 　

Where to Buy

Q
Where can I buy common specifications and handbooks for civil engineering works?
A
You can buy the following at the Designing Department of the Engineering Division at the Waterworks Bureau.
•“Common Specifications for Civil Engineering Works E(�E�5,400)
•“Common Specifications for Outsourcing Works E(�E�2,400)
•“Common Specifications for Piping Material to be Procured by Contractors for the Osaka City Waterworks Bureau E(�E�4,200)
•“Common Specifications for Civil Engineering Works (Technical Edition) E(�E�2,900)
You do not need to bring anything in particular to buy the above.
、ELocation 】Osaka World Trade Center Building 7F, 1-14-16 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka
、ESelling Hours 、E09:00-12:00 & 13:00-14:45 (Not sold outside these hours.)

 

Common Specifications for Electrical Machinery 　

Where to Buy

Q
Where can I buy common specifications for electrical machinery?
A
You can buy the following at the Facilities Department of the Engineering Division at the Waterworks Bureau.
●“Vol. 1 General Rules for Machinery, Electrical Installations and Construction Work E(�E�630)
●“Vol. 2 Machinery Installation Work E(�E�945)
●“Vol. 3 Electrical Installation Work E(�E�945)
、ELocation 】Osaka World Trade Center Building 7F, 1-14-16 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka
、ESelling Hours 、E09:00-12:00 & 13:00-14:45 (Not sold outside these hours.)

 

Guidebook for Planning and Implementing Work for Water Service Installations 　

Where to Buy

Q
Where can I buy “Guidebook for Planning and Implementing Work for Water Service Installations E
A
You can buy “Guidebook for Planning and Implementing Work for Water Service Installations Eat the Water Service Installation Department of the Engineering Division at the Waterworks Bureau.
・“Guidebook for Planning and Implementing Work for Water Service Installations Ebr> Book edition:�E�1,100 (incl. tax)　CD-ROM edition: �E�400 (incl. tax)
、ESelling Hours 、E09:00-12:00 & 13:00-14:45 (except Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and year-end & new year holidays)
、EMail-order 、E
The book edition is available by mail. To order the book edition, send �E�1,100 (cash) plus �E�340 worth of postage stamps by registered mail to the following address. Note, however, the CD-ROM edition is not available by mail.
�E�EAddress �E�E
Water Service Installation, Engineering Division, Osaka City Waterworks Bureau
Osaka World Trade Center Building 8F, 1-4-16 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-8558

 

Water Service Suspension 　

Reason

Q
Why is water service suspended?
A
Water service is funded by water fees paid by customers. To fulfill our obligation to ensure fairness, we are forced to suspend water service to customers who do not pay their water fees.

Legal Basis

Q
What provides the legal basis for water service suspension?  
A
Article 42 of Osaka City Water Service Ordinance stipulates that water service for the following persons must be suspended.
1. Persons who have not paid fees for more than two terms and are likely to become long-term delinquents
2. Persons who has built up a large amount of overdue bills (total �E�100,000 or more)
3. Persons who are recognized as needing to be subject to such a measure by general managers of the service offices

Ending Suspension of Water Service at Nighttime

Q
If I pay overdue bills at night, can I end suspension of water service immediately?
A
As stated in the “Notice for Water Service Suspension, Esuspension of water service cannot be ended outside office hours.
※ Office hours: 09:00-17:30 (except Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and year-end and new year holidays)

 

Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program 　

Program Details

Q
Can you tell me about the program to reduce water fees? 
A
It is called a Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program. Households that meet the requirements under this program are eligible for a basic rate waiver upon application.
Under this program when water consumption is within what is covered by the basic rate, an eligible user will not receive a water bill. Alternatively, when water consumption is beyond what is covered by the basic rate, an eligible user will have to pay the amount beyond the basic rate.
Meanwhile, how to receive fee reductions differs depending on whether an eligible user is applicable to individual metering and billing by the Waterworks Bureau. 
◁EFor eligible users applicable to individual metering and billing by the Waterworks Bureau: The Bureau deducts a basic rate from the actual total fee and sends a water bill showing the difference.
◁EFor eligible users not applicable to individual metering and billing by the Waterworks Bureau: The Bureau transfers the amounts equivalent to basic rates into accounts designated by users twice a year (in April and October). To apply for this arrangement, users must have passbooks with financial institutions under their own names.
Financial institutions available for this arrangement: All banks excluding Japan Post Bank, credit unions, credit associations, industrial banks and agricultural cooperatives (JA)

Eligibility

Q
Is it true that seniors do not have to pay water bills?
A
Totally free water service is not available, but we offer a Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program under which senior households may receive a basic rate waiver. The eligible senior households are as follows.
(1) Single households (aged 65+)
(2) Households in which all members are aged 65+
(3) Married couple households in which one individual is aged 65+ and his/her spouse is aged 60+
(4) Households consisting of a married couple as indicated in the above (3) and an additional member aged 65+
(5) Parent and child households in which the parent/parents is/are aged +65 and the child/children (including the child/children’s spouse/spouses) is/are aged 60+
(6) Households consisting of the members as indicated in the above (5) and an additional member/members aged 65+
(The program is also applicable to the households as indicated above when they support   a child/children if such child/children has/have not yet completed compulsory education. Note, however, that the households including even one child who has already completed compulsory education are ineligible.)
Meanwhile, the program is not applicable to households receiving livelihood assistance benefits under the Public Assistance Act and those receiving livelihood support benefits for Japanese repatriates from China.

Q
I got divorced and am now head of a single parent household. Is it true that you have a fee discount program for people like me?
A
Under a Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program, a basic rate waiver is applicable to single parent households and other households in similar circumstances (e.g. households consisting of a grandparent and a grandchild/grandchildren or sibling households) upon application until the first March 31 after the youngest child’s 18th birthday (20th birthday for a disabled child).
Meanwhile, the program is not applicable to households receiving livelihood assistance benefits under the Public Assistance Act and those receiving livelihood support benefits for Japanese repatriates from China.

Q
Is a household including one or more disabled persons eligible for a Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program?
A
The program is applicable to households including at least one person who has been issued a Physical Disability Certificate (Grade 1 or 2) or has been certified as severely mentally disabled and who has not been admitted to an institution. The program is also applicable to households that receive Special Children’s Allowance (Grade 1).
Moreover, the program is applicable to households including at least one person who has been issued a Mentally Impaired Health and Welfare Book (Grade 1) under the Mental Health Welfare Act. Note, however, that the program is not applicable to households receiving livelihood assistance benefits under the Public Assistance Act and those receiving livelihood support benefits for Japanese repatriates from China.

Changing Account Name 

Q
We’ve been categorized as a senior household eligible for a Welfare Fee Reduction/Waiver Program, but my spouse, a water service user registered with the Waterworks Bureau, recently died. So I’d like to change the account name and continue to receive fee reductions.
A
For senior households eligible for fee reductions, when the person registered as a water service user passes away, the eligibility ceases. So you need to report the death of your spouse to our service office in your area first. If you are eligible for a fee reduction under a different category, you may continue to receive a fee reduction upon application. For more information, contact our Customer Center

Public Assistance

Q
Why can’t I receive a fee reduction while receiving public assistance?
A
Households receiving livelihood assistance benefits under the Public Assistance Act are ineligible for water fee reductions, because the livelihood assistance benefits are fixed to cover utility charges including water fees.

 

 

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