On-site Inspection Tour by the Japan Society on Water Environment: the Gamou Tidal Flat and the Minamigamou Purification Center

Gamou, Miyagino-ku, Sendai

 

I went on an on-site inspection tour conducted by the Japan Society on Water Environment and visited the Gamou Tidal Flat and the Minamigamou Purification Center.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

Participants received an explanation of the current status of the Gamo Tidal Flat from Research Associate Takao Suzuki from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

For an interview with Mr. Suzuki, refer to” “The current state of the Gamou Tidal Flat (six months later).”

You can see the purification center beyond the broken embankment and large sandbags.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

On the tidal flat, cleanup work was underway using heavy machinery.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

We moved to the purification center to hear an explanation from the purification center staff.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

Relevant materials regarding damage at the Minamigamou Purification Center are available at “Damage Status of the Minamigamou Purification Center” on the Sendai City website.

In addition, a video taken by the purification center staff has been uploaded on YouTube.

From the roof of the administrative building of the purification center where the video was taken.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

The Third Pump Station near the sea.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

A wall hit by the tsunami. It is badly dented.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

From the inside.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

The wall of another building that stands next to the Third Pump Station. The wall suffered extensive damage probably because the windows were large.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

A badly twisted steel pipe.

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center

 

 

As of September 2011, despite six months having passed since the earthquake, removal of the damaged buildings and equipment has not yet been completed, which shows the size of the damage.

I learn that it is expected to take about five years before the facility will be functioning again.

The restoration of the facility is described in detail on the relevant page of the Sendai City website.

 

 

the Minamigamou Purification Center