Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA

Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) Japan

Contact Information Yutaka Suzuki Team Leader Public Works Research Institute 1-6, Minamihara, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8516 Japan +81-29-879-6776 ysuzuki@pwri.go.jp

Organization Overview The Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) is an Incorporated Administrative Agency, formerly a national institute belonging to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It is conducting civil and environmental engineering research related to river management, water environment restoration, water quality control, road facility management, earthquake disaster prevention, and so on. The purpose of much of the research is to ensure safety (e.g., evaluating water quality risks, groundwater protection) or to conserve/restore healthy environments (e.g., hydrologic modeling, lake/river restoration, water/soil quality in reservoirs and downstream of dams, sediment restoration). Because of its origin, PWRI has close connections with the Ministry and its regional branches for the support of technical problems arising from construction and management of infrastructures. Its research results have been utilized through improving practical standard specifications and manuals, and providing technical guidance and training for infrastructure managers. Cooperation with academic organizations and private companies is also promoted. PWRI in Tsukuba employs over 200 people and has an approximate budget of $ 48 million. At present, more than 80% of the budget comes from the national government, but the budget is decreasing because of the deficit of national government. Since the reorganization in 2001, PWRI has set 5year-term goals which should be approved by the Minister in charge. Priority research projects are included in the goals, and Research on evaluation water quality risk was conducted in the first 5year-term, targeting endocrine disrupting compounds. In the second 5year-term, Technology to reduce environmental risk is being conducted mainly targeting PPCPs. Before the approval of the goals by the Minister, the selection of research topics was intensively discussed at the interior committee, and then evaluated by the exterior committee consisting of University professors for peer review.

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Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA

Previous Collaborations on Trace Organic Compounds PWRI has collaborated with international institutes and promoted international communication by conducting workshops, joint research and personnel exchanges with the following organizations: Korea Institute of Construction Technology Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior, U.S.A U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (and related organizations) Research Center Karlsruhe (and related organizations) Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, U.K.

Completed Projects on Trace Organic Compounds In the first 5year-term from 2001 till 2005, priority research project Research on evaluation water quality risk was conducted targeting EDCs, especially nonylphenol and estrogens, and following individual research was carried out. 1. Clarification of occurrence and fate of EDCs in water environment Distribution of estrogen-like activity of river water, wastewater and treated wastewater in Japan Relationship between watershed conditions and EDCs concentration of river water Change of EDCs concentration during flow in urban river EDCs fate and accumulation in sediments in a lake receiving wastewater from urban area 2. Analysis of estrogen-like activity of EDCs contained in river water and treated wastewater Development of measurement method consisting of fractionation technique and recombinant yeast assay Evaluation of estrone contribution to estrogen-like activity of water 3. Evaluation of the fish feminization effect of EDCs contained in river water and treated wastewater Exposure tests of Medaka to river water and treated wastewater Clarification of effective estrogen concentration on Medaka feminization

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Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA

4. Effect of wastewater treatment conditions on estrogen removal efficiency Clarification of solids retention time of activated sludge process for effective removal of estrogens Evaluation of DO concentration for removal/formation of free estrogens Effect of MBR for removal of free and conjugated estrogens 5. Fate of EDCs contained in sludge during anaerobic digestion and composting Fate of EDCs in composted sludge applied to farm land Decomposition pathway of nonylphenol ethoxylates in anaerobic digestion and composting

Ongoing Projects on Trace Organic Compounds As the second 5year-term from 2006, priority research project Technology to reduce environmental risk is being conducted mainly targeting PPCPs (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, phenolic antiseptics, amide pharmaceuticals etc.) and following individual research is now carried out. 1. Clarification of occurrence and fate of PPCPs in water environment Several survey sites receiving different pollutions from gray water, onsite treatment facility, wastewater treatment plant and stock raising 2. Evaluation the effect of PPCPs on aquatic ecosystem Bioassay with bacterium, alga, protozoa, crustacean and amphibian 3. Clarification of fate of PPCPs in wastewater treatment process Mass balance of PPCPs in the process at several typical plants

Future Direction of Research on Trace Organic Compounds Setting target concentration for treated wastewater for the prevention of adverse effect on aquatic ecosystem Evaluation of biological effect of trace organic compounds by gene expression Effective control of trace organic compounds in wastewater treatment process

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