The UFC-Que Choisir federation has more than 70 years of seniority and with it active members full of ideas.
The magic of the waters refreshed the Jardins de la Fontaine (Photo Archives Tony Duret / Objectif Gard).
Also located in Nîmes, the UFC-Que Choisir proposed to initiate and participate, during the summer of 2021, in a unifying event on the theme of drinking water. Water, an environmental and societal issue, a common resource, both rare (drought) and abundant (flooding), essential to life, must return to the heart of the concerns of our territories, for its preservation, its economy and to make consumers aware of its importance but also of its fragility.
The goals ?
For the association, they are multiple. Demonstrate the excellence of the quality of the city’s drinking water, curb and limit the use of polluting plastic bottles, make reusable and eco-responsible containers available (sale) to the population (gourds, returnable cups, etc.) bearing the logos of the Métropole, Eau de Nîmes Métropole, the UFC-Que Choisir and other possible partners in the operation, or even test the full-scale acceptability of such a service by the population, evaluate the reception by tourists and visitors to the city of this novelty.
Photo d’illustration (Photo Fontaineo)
The solution for the UFC?
The first is the installation of fountains connected to the drinking water network at strategic locations with high visibility. At the top of avenue Jean-Jaurès and/or Jardins de la Fontaine, on place des Arènes or esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle or on avenue Feuchères, or at Maison Carrée or Carré d’Art.
« The sale of specific containers such as branded water bottles could be organized at the tourist office, place des Arènes, at the offices of Eau de Nîmes Métropole at the Carré de l’eau, at the office of UFC-Que Choisir avenue Jean-Jaurès or with other partners, or even participating restaurants. This project idea was born out of discussions with municipalities that have already launched this type of action and in particular the city of Nice, which has already acquired recognized experience in this type of operation.
La source… (Photo Archives Anthony Maurin).
« The equipment exists and is available, for purchase or rental, from the Fontaine company which could be responsible with the competent services of Eau de Nîmes Métropole for the installation of fountains at the points of issue, if possible close to sites under video surveillance to prevent vandalism. »
Project risks
If the project materializes it will allow a general satisfaction of the population who will feel taken into consideration, but also an awareness of the quality of the water and the service provided by the Metropolis. A positive impact on tourism, in particular foreign and/or inter-regional, as well as a greater attractiveness of the city center of Nîmes are also to be expected, as is an improvement in the overall image of the city of Nîmes.
The real constraints
In order to take account of human physiology, including in particular the natural needs to be satisfied, it is essential, at the same time, that public and free toilets be put in place and/or that the existing ones be made fully operational and remain perfectly maintained.
The possibility of dry toilets could also be explored, easy for men, those reserved for women must be imagined and designed in such a way as to imperatively preserve the privacy and safety of users.
Photo d’illustration (Photo Fontaineo)
Case to follow!
« The volunteers of the UFC that you choose will be able to mobilize to provide information and popularization both on the quality of tap water and on the eco-responsible actions to be acquired. It could advantageously be envisaged that summer jobs for students, recruited by the Métropole or Eau de Nîmes Métropole, provide both training for the population in the use of these terminals and also carry out prevention to safeguard the integrity of these terminals. »
On the basis of the rental for two summer months of three Caméléon-type Fountain terminals, it would be necessary to count 20,000 euros (in 2021), a price to which it will be necessary to add the valued times of the personnel of the municipality of Nîmes and / or the Métropole mobilized.
The Place du Chapitre fountain (Photo ArchiAnthony Maurin).
« All prices above are estimates only. It will be necessary to discuss and negotiate with the supplier company and to fix the geographical perimeter or the institutional outline of the project. As soon as the financing decision has been taken by the contracting authority, the Métropole, in close collaboration with the city of Nîmes, a prime contractor for the operation will have to be appointed, probably Eau de Nîmes Métropole. »
Any receipts related to the sale of derivative objects, mainly containers, are not mentioned, the UFC considers that the receipts will compensate almost all of the purchases made from Fontaineo for these eco-responsible accessories.
The UFC reasonably estimates that with an amount between 20,000 and 30,000 euros the operation could be quickly launched for the benefit of thousands of Nîmes and visitors for the summer… next?
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