Ryūgasaki City in Ibaraki Prefecture has installed a specialized toilet truck and eight water-circulating shower units to prepare for large-scale disasters [1].
These installations address the critical need for sanitation when municipal water systems fail. By enabling hygiene services without a steady water supply, the city aims to mitigate the health risks associated with long-term outages and severe droughts [1], [3].
The system includes one toilet truck equipped with flush toilets [1]. Alongside the vehicle, the city deployed eight shower units that utilize a water-circulating mechanism [1]. This technology allows the units to recycle used water, making them functional for showers, dish-washing, and laundry without relying on the city's water infrastructure [1], [2], [3].
The municipal government and its disaster-prevention team held an unveiling ceremony for the equipment on Oct. 16, 2025 [1], [2]. The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the city can maintain basic sanitary conditions during emergency scenarios where water scarcity becomes a primary concern [1], [3].
By integrating water-recycling technology into their emergency response toolkit, officials intend to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional water trucking. This approach reduces the volume of fresh water required to maintain public health in evacuation centers or affected residential areas [1], [3].
“The system includes one toilet truck equipped with flush toilets.”
The adoption of closed-loop water recycling in Ryūgasaki highlights a shift toward sustainable disaster resilience. By reducing dependence on external water deliveries, the city minimizes the logistical strain on emergency services during crises. This model may serve as a blueprint for other earthquake-prone or drought-affected regions seeking to maintain hygiene standards without relying on vulnerable municipal grids.
