In the heart of the Mare-Corbonne wastewater treatment plant in Mainvilliers, in the urban area of Chartres (Eure-et-Loir), shrimps, leeches and aquatic gastropods are constantly active. Locked up in a big gray box called ToxMate, these little creatures, very sensitive to micropollutantshave the mission to alert managers in the event of deterioration in water quality.
“This makes it possible to detect pollution at very high dilution levels, which has an impact on human health with the risk of a cocktail effect. There are 100,000 to 200,000 micropollutants, including drug residues, heavy metals or synthetic products “, explains Alexandre Decamps, Environmental Market Director at Viewpoint, the company that developed this process, in collaboration with an INRAE laboratory. of Lyon.
Residues of drugs, heavy metals or synthetic products
When concentrations increase, these invertebrates start moving very quickly. Their behavior is analyzed by an image processing software that notifies the site managers in real time. The tool also allows you to take samples at the right time to try to identify the origin and nature of the pollution.
In six months, 167 anomalous events of short duration were identified, without this being particularly worrying, although concentrations of drug residues could be identified. “Compared to other sites we have equipped, this treatment plant works quite well,” continues the manager.
For Chartres, the goal is to have the purest water possible. “We want to know what is dumped in the Eure, in order to be able to intervene if possible in the event of pollution”, specifies Alain Bellamy, vice president of Chartres Métropole, responsible for drinking water and sanitation.
For the moment, the community approach is purely voluntary as there is no binding provision on this type of measure. But Chartres prefers to “go ahead”, adds the elected, and anticipate the possible implementation of future regulations.
