“Water for 10 Billion Lives” — From Village Wells to Global Waterworks
Hello, my name is Shunsaku Matsuo.
Let me share my 25-year journey with water — in a slightly narrative form.
1. A Sense of Discomfort by the Pond
In 2000, after studying resource engineering, I joined a sanitation plant manufacturer with a desire to contribute to solving environmental issues. My first assignment was purifying artificial streams. Though the filtered water appeared clear, just a few hundred meters downstream, sludge and algae would accumulate — “Producing clean water alone doesn’t mean restoring the aquatic environment.” That gap became the starting point of my mission.
2. Microscopic Observations and Moats of Algae
Next came an experiment to purify the moat of Aizuwakamatsu Castle. Even when the water was cleared with coagulants, algae would grow overnight if the system was halted. I realized that we need technology that tackles root causes, not just symptoms. Later, I focused on wastewater treatment at food factories — observing microbes daily under the microscope, reading the system’s condition from their behavior. That’s when I became convinced: biological treatment can become a key solution for Japan and the world.
3. A Vow at an African Well
In 2008, I transitioned into development consulting. In a Tanzanian village, I met a child sipping brown water — and vowed: “Safe water, no matter where you’re born.” I spent years building water facilities, planning systems, and conducting training in more than a dozen countries. Yet, I also witnessed these facilities cease functioning within years due to poor maintenance. It dawned on me — technology alone isn’t enough; we need sustainable operations and cost models. This challenge, I realized, exists even in Japan.
4. Insights from a Remote Community
After returning to Japan, I worked on circular water treatment systems and disaster support with a water treatment manufacturer. In a mountainous part of Chiba, I revamped a small water system for a dozen households within a year. Inspired by a kind-hearted community leader who said, “We want to leave good water for the future,” I became convinced that sustainable, low-cost systems are possible even on a small scale.
5. Starting a Business and Sharing Knowledge
In 2025, I founded the Water Future Institute Inc. with the vision of “Good water, for everyone, at low cost.” Of course, launching a new venture is a process of constant trial and error. That’s why I’ve decided to use this blog to share my experiences and lessons — openly and without reservation. Not a technical manual, but a space for open dialogue — like chatting around a village well.
6. My Vision for the Future
- Drinkable water from the tap — even in the most remote villages
- A society where everyone knows how to secure safe water after disasters
- Reintroducing Japan’s proven water technologies to the world
I hope to realize such a future together with you, the readers. Perhaps one blog post can inspire someone to fill their home water tank — or even support a well project halfway across the globe.
Thank you for reading to the end.
May this blog be a “drop of water” that improves your life — and the world’s water — even just a little.
WaterVision Ltd.
CEO: Shunsaku Matsuo
matsuo@watervision.jp
Company Website: https://watervision.jp/
