Effects of Tsumani on Water Supply Network in Case of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake in Japan

Abstract eng:
This paper deals with damage to water supply system caused by tsunami in the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake in Japan and discusses effects of tsunami on water supply network. The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake generated a tsunami of unprecedented height and exceptional extent along the northeast coast of Japan. A water supply system suffered severe damage by strong ground motion, ground failure and tsunami. Interruption in water supply happened at about 2.57 million houses just after the earthquake and tsunami. In the majority of flooded areas, residents have not been able to return home after the event because most buildings and houses have been washed away. As a result, there has been no need to distribute water in these areas. Most of the damaged pipelines in the flooded areas, therefore, have been left unrepaired. However the lessons from this tremendous tsunami disaster should be learnt and prepare for the future disasters. This study focuses on the damage to water supply facilities and buried pipelines caused by tsunami. First, questionnaire survey was conducted for 186 waterworks bureaus in earthquake and tsunami hit-areas. Structural damage and functional damage to water purification plants were discussed in comparison with the damage in inundated and non-inundated areas. Next, a field survey was conducted to survived water supply pipe buried in tsunami hit areas and the performance of the pipeline was evaluated by using the data of the field survey. Finally we discussed the effects of tsunami on water supply facilities and buried pipelines.

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