The drought situation is getting worse in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the longest in history. The water tables are between two and four months behind in terms of filling. Precipitation forecasts do not signal anything good on the horizon. In short, the territory is sorely lacking in water. Faced with this crisis, a question arises. Why can’t treated wastewater be used?
There always needs to be a trigger. A hazard that changes the situation. Forced by a lasting and intense drought, the prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales and beyond the State, have clearly changed their vision on the reuse of wastewater. So far ultra-limited, the experiments are developing throughout the national territory. And the Pyrénées-Orientales are not left out. It must be said that the water situation pushes to look closely at the alternative. A proven principle with health precautionary criteria, ready to use and just waiting for authorizations to avoid a colossal waste of water.
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Only 1% of wastewater is treated and reused in France
Roll out the reuse of treated wastewater (Reut) in wastewater treatment plants: this is Veolia’s declared ambition. The “REUT Box” which equips several stations in France, including one in the Pyrénées-Orientales, is the most effective technological solution. This technology, with a treatment capacity of up to 75 m3/h, makes the water clean enough to be used in agricultural irrigation, urban cleaning, watering green spaces, stadiums or golf courses.
Eventually, subject to obtaining the necessary authorizations, the use of water could be extended to certain industrial and agricultural uses.
“Today, we can see it clearly in the department, the prefecture is putting pressure on the municipalities to limit the withdrawal of water. We must promote the reuse, we must help the communities to equip themselves. , Veolia is counting on the commissioning of 100 “REUT boxes”, a pioneering approach that will save 3 million m3 of drinking water, the equivalent of the annual consumption of a city of 180,000 inhabitants”says Camille Beaupin, head of Veolia wastewater treatment plants in the department.
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The objective being to put an end to millions of m3 of treated water leaving the treatment plant and which are, for example, thrown into rivers or the sea.
Once treated, category A wastewater, within the meaning of French regulations, can be discharged into the sea. But it could also be intended for the irrigation of green spaces or crops, fire fighting, industrial needs or urban development and refreshments. Except that the subject has long been taboo. And for the moment, reuse is limited to the maintenance of wastewater treatment plants such as that of Saint-Cyprien in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
“Ultimately, subject to obtaining the necessary authorizations, the use of water could be extended to certain industrial and agricultural uses, such as irrigation or cleaning of roads, allowing communities, farmers and industrialists to reduce the consumption of drinking water”, says Camille Beaupin. To this end, Veolia intends to support local authorities in putting together technical and financial files.
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Only 1% of wastewater is treated and reused in France, compared to 8% in Italy, 14% in Spain and more than 80% in Israel.
The best example is in Narbonne where the “REUT Box” has become the solution for reusing treated wastewater to irrigate vines. In this project initiated by INRA, Veolia, the cooperative cellar of Gruissan, Aquadoc and Grand Narbonne, the drip system put in place makes it possible to irrigate 80 hectares of vines in Gruissan. Called Irrialt’eau, this project has demonstrated that the reuse of wastewater contributes to the maintenance of traditional agricultural activity. Market gardening, fruit and vegetable growing, pasture, nurseries and other floral crops, fruit growing… So many activities that can benefit from the reprocessing and reuse of treated water.
